Big Time Adulting

Caitlin Murray wants to know why we are frothing at the mouth to enroll our kids in every single extracurricular activity? When did over-scheduling our kids become the norm? Parents of the 80s and 90s were also busy shuttling kids from thing to thing but the activities they were engaged in were close to home, not very serious, and didn't interfere with downtime and play. With a cameo from economist Emily Oster, Caitlin explores the benefits of extracurriculars but also how overcommitment can lead to burnout and strain on the family. Caitlin shares her personal experience of getting sucked into over-scheduling and how she approaches it now with more sanity and balance. Follow Caitlin Murray @bigtimeadulting Subscribe to Caitlin's newsletter Soul Snacks (where she shares her playlists and more) Some of Caitlin's favorite brands & affiliate partners: Knockaround Sunglasses (use code BIGTIMEADULTING for 15% OFF) The best store in the world The second best store

In this refreshing monologue, inspired by one of her most viral reels, Caitlin Murray shares her dirty little secret about what she really craves as a mom of three: alone time. Not just any alone time. It's alone time given to her by her husband. It doesn't require childcare or coordination or the pressure to be productive. Her mind can be at ease knowing her children are cared for by a parent. And she doesn't want him to have it easy. She wants him to immerse fully into the chaos and experience the full weight of juggling the shit show that's solo parenting. Caitlin goes on to examine how society tells women that motherhood should feel natural and easy and therefore mothers have it easier than fathers who work outside of the home. Caitlin believes by giving fathers the opportunity to solo parent in the early childhood years is one step closer to respecting the role of mothers in society. Follow Caitlin Murray @bigtimeadulting Subscribe to Caitlin's newsletter Soul Snacks (where she shares her playlists and more) Some of Caitlin's favorite brands & affiliate partners: Knockaround Sunglasses (use code BIGTIMEADULTING for 15% OFF) The best store in the world The second best store

Our guest today is the iconic Cris Cavallari, owner of ICCON, a Philadelphia-based fashion studio and online boutique. Cris shares her story navigating motherhood for the second time, 16 years after giving birth to her first child when she was only 16-years-old. Cris expected the second time around to be much smoother because she was an adult and had a partner. But soon into her pregnancy she realized she was going to be alone in her journey. In this conversation, Cris discusses her co-parenting challenges, finding strength in hard times, and how cutting her son's long hair surprisiningly helped her let go of control, anger, and self-pity. Cris is a beacon of inspiration and we're so excited for you to get to know her. Follow Cris @cris_cavallari and get your shop on at her online boutique ICCON Follow Caitlin Murray @bigtimeadulting Caitlin's magazine Soul Snacks Today's episode is sponsored by Lesser Evil Snacks! Follow them here: @lesserevilsnacks Some of Caitlin's favorite brands & affiliate partners: Knockaround Sunglasses (use code BIGTIMEADULTING for 15% OFF) The best store in the world The second best store Submit your "big time adulting" story to us and potentially be a guest on the podcast! Write to us at bigtimeadultingpodcast@gmail.com.

Caitlin Murray was a late bloomer and at fourteen she yearned to have big boobs. In this episode, Caitlin shares an embarrassing story from high school orientation aboard a sailboat when she accidentally exposed her little titties out of the side of her speedo bathing suit in front of her classmates. Caitlin reflects on how embarrassing moments from our youth leave imprints on us and how as we grow older embarrassment becomes somewhat inconsequential and maybe even funny. This is all to say that when our children experience the visceral doom and shame of embarrassment, instead of minimizing it, we can show some empathy and turn it around with some humor. Tune in to hear from our listeners who submitted their own embarrassing teenage stories! Follow Caitlin Murray @bigtimeadulting Caitlin's magazine Soul Snacks with everything you need to know Caitlin's favorite brands & affiliate partners: Knockaround Sunglasses (use code BIGTIMEADULTING for 15% OFF) The best store in the world The second best store Submit your "big time adulting moment" and potentially be a guest on the podcast. Write to us at bigtimeadultingpodcast@gmail.com. Pitch tip: The best stories have plot, characters, conflict, and an aha moment.

You may wonder why Caitlin so confidently makes fun of her kids, bemoans the trials and tribulations of nonstop parenting, dances her ass off in the kitchen like a lunatic, and rattles off pep talks to all the weary moms. Today, we're re-releasing Caitlin's first podcast episode from 2021 when no one really knew she had a podcast. You will giggle and shed tears as Caitlin describes the life-changing event that inspired her to start blogging, posting on Instagram, and podcasting. In December 2016, her 3-year-old son was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia which set her family on a horrific journey of survival. Caitlin walks us through the heart-wrenching moments that led up to the diagnosis and how it forever shaped and strengthened their family. She also talks about why this experience has given her a license to say whatever the f*** she wants. It's a story that resonates with moms because it reminds us to trust our gut and advocate for our kids. And its a reminder that humor is essential when going through hard times. Fast-forward to today, her son is now 10-years-old and thriving alongside his little sister and brother. Follow Caitlin Murray @bigtimeadulting Peruse Caitlin's magazine Soul Snacks To submit your "big time adulting moment" and potentially be a guest on the podcast, write to us at bigtimeadultingpodcast@gmail.com The Big Time Adulting podcast is brought to you in part by a few of Caitlin's favorite brands & affiliate partners: Knockaround Sunglasses (use code BIGTIMEADULTING for 15% OFF) Perfect Bar The best store in the world The second best store

Milano Buckley is the epitome of resilience. Born to a mentally ill homeless woman named Kat, Milano's unstable childhood in New York City was marked by unexpected refuge by two unofficial foster parents, an African woman from Ghana and her elementary school teacher. Milano's grit through uncertain times led her down a path of triumph over adversity. After graduating from Princeton and starting the picture-perfect family of her dreams, she thought attaining such success would free her from her past. But when she became a mother, her childhood trauma surfaced in brutal and surprising ways. In this episode, Milano Buckley talks about her crazy upbringing and the daily hurdles of being a mom riddled with remnants of trauma. She reflects on the challenges of healing and the disconnect between her expectations of parenthood and reality. She explores the impact of trauma triggers and the importance of accepting and embracing the journey of healing. Milano and Caitlin also discuss the balance between celebrating joy and acknowledging everyday annoyances. Milano's favorite snack: Babybel cheese with pretzel crisps. Find Caitlin Murray @bigtimeadulting The Big Time Adulting podcast is brought to you in part by a few of Caitlin's favorite brands & affiliate partners: Knockaround Sunglasses (use code BIGTIMEADULTING for 15% OFF) Perfect Bar The best store in the world The second best store

Vagina economist Emily Oster is a world-famous data scientist who researches topics related to women's health, pregnancy, and parenting. Emily translates confusing scientific data and jargon into digestible knowledge that helps parents make better and more relaxed decisions. Emily is a professor of economics at Brown University and the author of 4 books: Expecting Better, Cribsheet, The Family Firm, and The Unexpected. She also hosts the Parent Data podcast and writes a popular newsletter by the same name. Emily recently appeared on The Daily Show and was included in TIME's 2022 100 Most Influential People in the world! In this episode, Caitlin gets to know the many sides of Emily: the mom, the runner, the Insta-famous economist. They chat about why her work resonates with so many moms and how to use data to make decisions. They talk about panic headlines, chaffing, pregnancy, parenting styles, extracurricular activities, discipline, daycare, and more. We're honored to welcome Emily Oster to the podcast. If you like the show, please subscribe! Follow Emily @profemilyoster and at www.parentdata.org Follow Caitlin Murray @bigtimeadulting The Big Time Adulting podcast is brought to you in part by a few of Caitlin's favorite brands & affiliate partners: Knockaround Sunglasses (use code BIGTIMEADULTING for 15% OFF) Perfect Bar The best store in the world The second best store

Many of us struggle with the fact that one day our kids will grow up and not need us as much. They will inevitably blaze their own independent lives outside the warm cocoon of our arms. Caitlin welcomes Erin O'Connor to the podcast to discuss secure attachment and why it's never too late to strengthen the bond we have with our kids. Erin is an academic wiz and a force to be reckoned with in the field of child development. She's a professor and director of the New York University's Early Childhood Education program. She holds a Doctorate in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard, a Masters in teaching from Fordham University, and a Masters in school psychology from Columbia University. She co-founded the scientificmommy community which is now called Your Cooper, a platform designed to bring together parents, teachers, and researchers around issues of child development. Erin is also co-host of the podcast Parenting Understood, which provides accessible information on parenting and development research. In this episode, Erin talks about the ways parents can nurture positive relationships with their children, why it's never too late to strengthen that bond, and how it's not all on us to ensure they're securely attached because research shows that when a child develops a strong relationship with someone outside the immediate family, like a teacher, coach, or relative, it's a good predictor of their social-emotional health and academic success. Tune into this fascinating conversation as Erin weaves scientific research into Caitlin's burning questions about parenting and how to ensure our kids will want to come back to us as they test their independence out in the world. Check out Your Cooper (an online parenting group reimagined) Follow Caitlin Murray @bigtimeadulting The Big Time Adulting podcast is brought to you in part by a few of Caitlin's favorite brands & affiliate partners: Knockaround Sunglasses (use code BIGTIMEADULTING for 15% OFF) Perfect Bar The best store in the world The second best store

Today on the podcast we welcome actress, television host, author, and mom of two Tiffani Thiessen! After Caitlin shakes off being a little starstruck and Tiffani returns the admiration, they reflect on Tiffani's past as a teen idol and the many ways it impacted her life. They dive into her upbringing and how her family helped her stay humble and grounded amidst the Hollywood hustle. They discuss her love of cooking and how she came to pivot her career towards food. Tiffani recently came out with her 2nd cookbook, Here We Go Again, a love letter to her childhood, which is all about getting creative with leftovers! @tiffanithiessen @bigtimeadulting The Big Time Adulting podcast is brought to you in part by a few of Caitlin's favorite brands & affiliate partners: Knockaround Sunglasses (use code BIGTIMEADULTING for 15% OFF) Perfect Bar The best store in the world The second best store

Even though dads today are taking on more housework and childcare than in past generations, moms typically carry ALL the mental load for the family, a term referring to the cognitive logistics, worry, and decision-making involved in managing a household and family. The mental load can be described as an unending mental checklist that anticipates every need for the family and home. This might include strategizing meals, researching schools and the best eczema cream, remembering to schedule doctor's appointments, organizing calendars, managing the family's emotional needs, changing the bed sheets, signing Johnny up for soccer, remembering that the toilet paper is out, snacks are low, or whether you paid the babysitter last week, not to mention the endless worrying about your kids and if you're doing enough. This "invisible labor" often goes unnoticed by your partner. It's exhausting and no surprise we're dealing with an epidemic of burnout. Today's guest, relationship expert Dr. Morgan Cutlip, PhD, has helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide learn how to form and maintain healthy relationships. Morgan knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood, and she's determined to help mothers navigate it better. In this episode, Caitlin and Morgan talk about why carrying the mental load leads to burnout, how to start expressing our needs, and why they hate the term self-care. If that's not enough to lead you in the right direction, Morgan just wrote a book, Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself. Follow Caitlin Murray @bigtimeadulting Connect with Dr. Morgan Cutlip: @drmorgancutlip Free Resources at www.drmorgancutlip.com including how to talk to your partner about the mental load Pre-order Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself The Big Time Adulting podcast is brought to you in part by a few of Caitlin's favorite brands & affiliate partners: Knockaround Sunglasses (use code BIGTIMEADULTING for 15% OFF) Perfect Bar The best store in the world The second best store

Perimenopause is top of mind. Hollywood is talking about it. Vaginal creams and supplements are being sold for it. But still, what the hell is going on? As we sail through midlife, how are our fluctuating hormones impacting our bodies and minds and what do we do about it? Dr. Shieva Ghofrany, an OBGYN and insta-glorious expert on all things women's health, sits down with Caitlin to discuss the predictably unpredictable hormonal shifts of perimenopause. Actual menopause occurs, on average, around age 51 marked by a one year absence of a menstrual period. That means perimenopause is the 10-15 year lead up to menopause that begins somewhere between the late 30s and 40s. Symptoms may include: brain fog, mood swings, feelings of rage, weight gain, heavy periods, vaginal dryness, chin whiskers, lack of libido, insomnia, hot flashes, joint pain, and hair loss. Yay. Often occurring in conjunction with the deranged parenting years, this change in a woman's life is sure to be miserable and magical, as Dr. Ghofrany puts it. She gives us hope by demystifying this confusing time, equipping listeners with the right questions to ask their doctors, and offering a myriad of treatment options. Maybe we can even embrace this naturally occurring life stage because growing older is a gift and we might as well indulge and enjoy it. Follow Dr. Shieva Ghofrany @biglovefiercejuju and @tribecalledv Tribe Called V is a virtual women's health platform --- Caitlin Murray @bigtimeadulting The Big Time Adulting podcast is brought to you in part by a few of Caitlin's favorite brands & affiliate partners: Knockaround Sunglasses (use code BIGTIMEADULTING for 15% OFF) Perfect Bar The best store in the world The second best store

Today, we have the luminous Nicole Sachs, an LCSW, speaker, writer, podcaster, and psychotherapist who has dedicated her work to the treatment of emotional and physical chronic pain. In this episode, Nicole shares her fascinating story of healing her own debilitating back pain through mind/body medicine inspired by Dr. John Sarno who encouraged her to journal about her repressed emotions. Nicole reflects on the watershed moment when she wrote the words, "I hate being a mother," a proclamation that released an emotional pressure valve and helped her heal her pain and ultimately enriched her relationship with her kids. Through the lens of motherhood, Caitlin and Nicole talk about the link between emotions, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, and how we can begin to free ourselves from their grips so that we can experience more connection and energy along our parenting journey. Nicole has developed a process called JournalSpeak also known as "rage on the page," a type of expressive writing therapy that rewires neural pathways that cause chronic symptoms. If your bullshit meter is going off, then lean into this episode even harder because Nicole is kind of amazing and certainly changed my preconceived notions about mind/body medicine. Connect with Nicole Sachs: @nicolesachslcsw Visit www.thecureforchronicpain.com to learn more about JournalSpeak and to find Nicole's membership community, retreats, and on-demand courses: Freedom From Chronic Pain Freedom From an Anxious Life Listen to Caitlin on Nicole's podcast, Freedom From Chronic Pain: Finding Your Authentic Voice (and Humor) When Life is Hard with Caitlin Murray. --- Find me Caitlin Murray @bigtimeadulting The Big Time Adulting podcast is brought to you in part by a few of my favorite brands & affiliate partners: Knockaround Sunglasses (use code BIGTIMEADULTING for 15% OFF) Perfect Bar The best store in the world The second best store

Today we are joined by Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett who are the hosts of The Puberty Podcast, a riveting show that weaves together scientific research, parenting strategies, and hilarious stories to help guide adults who are raising kids through puberty. You might be surprised to learn that puberty begins for girls at 8 or 9 and for boys at 9 or 10! In this episode, we focus on body image and what to say and not say to our kids about their bodies. Caitlin seeks to understand how to set boundaries around clothing, nudity, and public displays of pleasure. We talk about pleasure, consent, social pressures, bodily changes, and how to navigate these awkward conversations. Buckle up, because we need to know how to stay cool, how to talk to our kids without pushing them away, and how to mentally prepare OURSELVES for this next phase of parenting. Connect with Cara and Vanessa: The Puberty Podcast IG: @spillingthepubertea Pre-order their book: This is So Awkward Shop their loungewear: @my.oomla --- Find me Caitlin Murray @bigtimeadulting The Big Time Adulting podcast is brought to you in part by a few of my favorite brands & affiliate partners: Knockaround Sunglasses (use code BIGTIMEADULTING for 15% OFF) Perfect Bar The best store in the world The second best store