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PODCAST

Friendlier

Sarah Kopper & Abby Olena

Friendlier is like eavesdropping on a phone call between Sarah and Abby, long time friends—and now parents—who love to talk, read, and eat. Every episode we review books, share recipes, and explore a sometimes random/sometimes serious topic. Join us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

society & culture personal journals

All Episodes

39:31

2022 update

Friendlier ·

2022/07/12

2022 updateWe do our annual mid-year review, reminding ourselves of our goals and intentions and checking in on how things are going halfway through the year.Life latelyAbby took a spontaneous camping trip and Sarah is showering in her new shower.Reading latelyAbby read I'll Show Myself Out: Essays on Midlife and Motherhood by Jessi Klein after enjoying her article in The Cut.Sarah enjoyed listening to Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman.Eating latelySarah made

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30:50

Summer day in our lives

Friendlier ·

2022/06/28

We share the details of our days from Wednesday, June 15th. You can also listen to ourfirst day-in-the-life episodeand asimilar episodefromtwo years ago if you’d like to see how our days have changed. Links we mentioned:The Penderwicksby Jeanne BirdsallYouTube Swim LessonsLife latelySarah loves physical therapy, and Abby’s ebike dreams have come true.Reading latelySarah loved the YA vibes inK-pop Confidentialand its sequel,K-pop Revolution, by Stephan Lee.Abby enjoyedA Lady for a Duke(queer

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26:29

Capturing family memories

Friendlier ·

2022/06/14

Capturing family memoriesWe share our philosophy around capturing family memories, our best strategies, and how our approach has changed as our kids have grown.Little HootsFive year line-a-day journalLife latelyAbby has a cat adventure to share. The remodel at Sarah's house is (finally) underway!Reading latelyAbby read Listen to Me Good: The Story of an Alabama Midwife by Margaret Charles Smith and Linda Janet Holmes.Sarah turned to an old favorite to get out of her reading slump and reread the YA

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33:15

Discernment

Friendlier ·

2022/05/31

We talk about how our processes of discernment look and rave aboutthis essayby Cheryl Strayed.Life latelySarah is enjoying TV, especiallyBridgerton.Two and a half years after moving to Birmingham, Abby finally feels like she has friends.Reading latelySarah readRemember:The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgettingby Lisa Genova, a popular science book about memory.Abby listened to and lovedThe Marrow Thievesby Cherie Dimaline.Eating latelyAbby is enjoying maple pecan granola from Trader Joe’s

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26:55

Pets in our lives

Friendlier ·

2022/05/17

Pets in our livesWe share our history with pets, our current pet situations, the best and worst parts of having (or not having) pets, and our future pet dreams.Life latelyAbby's planned lots of short trips for the upcoming months and Sarah is loving all the outdoor play happening in the neighborhood.Reading latelyAbby enjoyed the second Bellinger Sisters' novel by Tessa Bailey: Hook, Line, and Sinker.Sarah loved My Lady Jane, a young adult novel that re-imagines the life of Lady Jane Grey (plus

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26:33

Family favorites

Friendlier ·

2022/05/03

We share the favorites in our families that have stood the test of time. Visit our show notes for links!Life latelyWe share our plans for the upcoming summer.Reading latelySarah readI Must Betray Youby Reta Sepetys, a young adult historical fiction novel set in Romania at the end of the Ceaușescu regime.Abby lovedThe Book of Longingsby Sue Monk Kidd.Eating latelyAbby enjoyed Texas brisket while Sarah’s lack of tortillas led to fancy nachos.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a

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29:00

Learning new things

Friendlier ·

2022/04/19

Trying new thingsWe share new things we've tried as adults, our trying new things fails, mantras/mindsets that help us when trying new things, how parenting intersects with our approach, and new things we aspire to try in the future.Life latelyAbby is almost done with her first semester of nursing school!Sarah is watching a lot of NCAA gymnastics.Reading latelyAbby was disappointed byFinlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Deadby Elle Cosimano.Sarah raced throughThe Last Thing He Told Meby Laura Dave.Eating

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26:57

Finding our next reads

Friendlier ·

2022/04/05

We share how we find new books to read, strategies for managing our holds queues at the library, and what influences the kind of book we want to read next. Links mentioned:SarahandAbbyon GoodreadsShelf AwarenessandMaximum Shelf newslettersBooklist newslettersReading the Past(for historical fiction)Smart Bitches Trashy Books(for romance)Tor(for science fiction and fantasy + good ebook deals)Libby(app) /Overdrive(web-based)HooplaA note about the Nashville Public Library: Sadly, since we recorded they

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33:24

Division of labor

Friendlier ·

2022/03/22

Division of laborWe give an update on how we divide the housework in our families: who does what, how we feel about it, outsourcing, and what we have found to be most successful.Life latelyAbby's family welcomed two new cats to their home.Sarah took an overnight trip to St. Louis.Reading latelyAbby is obsessed with the Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells.Sarah read the graphic memoir And Now I Spill the Family Secrets by Margaret Kimball.Eating latelySarah made a quick broccoli salad and Abby

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22:08

Back to school as adults

Friendlier ·

2022/03/08

We discuss what it’s been like to be back in school as adults, including what we are studying, the best and worst parts, and tips for anyone thinking of going back to school.Life latelySarah is relishing riding a bike with working brakes.Abby shares that Pepper was vaccinated as part of the Pfizer COVID clinical trial!Reading latelySarah read the the cozy food mysteryArsenic and Adoboby Mia Manasala.Abby finished the first book in a science fiction series:Long Way to a Small Angry Planetby Becky

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25:20

Parenting, revisited

Friendlier ·

2022/02/22

Parenting, revisitedWe give an update on all things parenting: what's going well, our biggest challenges, mantras we rely on, and intentions going forward. Links mentioned:Previous parenting episodes: parenting, at home parenting, and parenting wins and failsTeacher Tom on bickeringParenting Without Power Struggles by Susan StiffelmanLife latelyAbby is biking with Pepper using a Mac Ride.Sarah has been incorporating various breathing techniques after reading Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by

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23:05

Food habits

Friendlier ·

2022/02/08

We share quick and easy meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, what we keep in our pantry, and what is not feeling quick and easy about feeding our families.Life latelySarah is happy to have made it through January.Abby presented at a science communication conference.Reading latelySarah read the domestic thrillerApples Never Fallby Liane Moriarty.Abby is going through Mhairi McFarlane’s older books and lovedIt’s Not Me, It’s Youjust as much as her newer releases.Eating latelyAbby shared thecroque

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26:08

Claiming rest

Friendlier ·

2022/01/25

Claiming restWe reflect on what rest means to us, how society's view on rest impacts us, activities we find restful, and our rest aspirations.Life latelyAbby has joined in on the Wordle craze.Sarah thinks she's found the perfect time to get groceries.Reading latelyAbby read the novel Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy and Sarah read Kate Baer's newest collection of poetry: I Hope This Finds You Well.Eating latelySarah is snacking on popcorn with ranch seasoning and Abby's family loves

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28:13

Community, revisited

Friendlier ·

2022/01/11

We revisit the topic of community (which we first talked about five years ago), including the state of our current communities, what we need from our communities, how to cultivate community, and future community dreams. Links mentioned in this episode:Our firstepisode on communityLife latelySarah’s family is making some serious tidying progress.Abby shares a frugal win.Reading latelySarah read Alix Harrow’s novellaA Spindle Splintered.Abby read the magical romanceA Marvellous Lightby Freya

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27:47

New year's intentions, 2022

Friendlier ·

2021/12/28

New year's intentions, 2022We reflect on the year that was, set intentions for 2022, and share some of our favorites from 2021. Links we mentioned:Last year'sintentions episodeand ourmid-year check-inTed LassoBaking ImpossibleBake SquadLife latelyPepper is fully weaned and Abby's found a greatnew bra.Sarah joined a buy nothing group to aid in her family's decluttering.Reading latelyWe both read books by Nora McInerny Purmont:Hot Young Widow's ClubandNo Happy Endings.Eating latelySarah is

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25:41

Our year in books, 2021

Friendlier ·

2021/12/14

We take a look back at our reading life in 2021: our challenges, our wins, and of course, our favorite books. For our highlights from the year, please visit our show notes.Life latelySarah is recovering from surgery.Abby is enjoying a break from work before nursing school starts.Reading latelySarah read Holly Jackson’sA Good Girl’s Guide to MurderandGood Girl, Bad Blood.Abby is reading theLondon Celebritiesseries by Lucy Parker.Eating latelyAbby tried abaked potato soup.Sarah devoured chicken and

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32:12

Bodies and food during the holidays

Friendlier ·

2021/11/30

We reflect on our relationships with our bodies and exercise, as well as how that influences our parenting, especially during the holidays. Links to folks doing the work:Aubrey Gordon and her podcast Maintenance PhaseJessamyn Stanley, both her personal and business Instagram accountsVirginia Sole-Smith's InstagramChristy Harrison's podcastIntuitive Eating by Evelyn TriboleF*ck It Diet by Caroline DoonerNot Quite Snow White by Ashley FranklinAwesomely Emma by Amy WebbHealth at Every Size by Lindo

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26:35

Making the holidays meaningful

Friendlier ·

2021/11/16

We share our ideal holidays along with what we are doing (and not doing) to make the holidays special this year. Links mentioned in the episode:Lego advent calendarVanderbeekers of 141st Stby Karina Yan GlaserLife latelySarah recommends theThis Landpodcast.Abby got into nursing school!Reading latelySarah read Kate Bowler’s new memoirNo Cure For Being Human.Abby enjoyed theRuthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardryby C.M. Waggoner.Eating latelyAbby is treating herself to chai lattes made with half and half,

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22:56

Therapy thoughts

Friendlier ·

2021/11/02

Therapy thoughtsWe share our experiences with therapy and insights we've learned along the way.Life latelyAbby completed fall planting around her house.Sarah is doing lots of push-ups.Reading latelyAbby listened to State of Terror, co-written by Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny.Sarah read (and absolutely loved) One, Two, Three by Laurie Frankel.Eating latelySarah tried a cheesy hashbrown casserole (with no cream of soup!).Abby has found a recipe for light and airy banana cupcakes.If you’d like to

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28:24

Halloween!

Friendlier ·

2021/10/19

We discuss our Halloweens growing up, the current state of Halloween in our families, how we handle all the candy, and tips and tricks for making Halloween a success.Life latelySarah completed her first 5k in more than fourteen years.Abby finally finished the chicken coop repairs.Reading latelySarah read the YA mysteryThe Inheritance Gamesby Jennifer Lynn Barnes.Abby listened toCantorasby Carolina de Robertis.Eating latelyAbby shares abreakfast casserole, while Sarah’s been eating sandwiches.If

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