Stay ConnectedThe Hope & Humor Podcast with Kristina Kuzmič
Real, raw, and refreshingly uplifting. Join Kristina Kuzmič as she brings her beloved blend of honesty, heart, and humor to candid conversations. Each episode offers practical guidance on parenting, relationships, mental health and navigating the messy, beautiful work of taking care of ourselves. It’s the hope and humor we all need!
Death is one of the few experiences every family will face, yet it's often one of the hardest subjects to talk about. In this episode, Kristina welcomes Amy Pickard, founder of Good To Go, for an honest conversation about end-of-life planning, talking to children about death, family communication, and why avoiding these discussions often creates more pain than having them.
At the heart of Amy's work is The Departure File, a practical and compassionate resource designed to eliminate stress, guilt, and uncertainty for those left behind. As Amy says, the goal is to leave behind love instead of logistics.Learn more about Good To Go, order The Departure File, or find information about Good To Go Parties at https://goodtogopeace.org/.
Do you ever feel like you're expected to do it all, be it all, and somehow make it look effortless? In this episode, Kristina and her producer dive into the reality of Superwoman Syndrome. They explore the pressures and societal expectations that women face, how these messages often teach us to put our own needs last, and what it takes to break free from the cycle of self-neglect and create a life that feels more fulfilling and sustainable.
Kristina is joined once again by Jacy Patt, founder of Mentionable Means Manageable Youth Advocacy and a dedicated advocate with more than 15 years of experience working with at-risk youth and their families. Through years of building trust with young people, Jacy has heard firsthand from kids who are struggling but don't feel comfortable opening up to their parents. She shares powerful insights and practical guidance for parents who want to strengthen their connection with their children.
Learn more about Jacy's non-profit organization and its work supporting adolescents and families: mmmya.org
Kristina gets real about something she’s been working on for most of her life: overcoming chronic negativity. Calling herself a “recovering pessimist,” Kristina shares practical strategies that have helped her shift her mindset, and answers listener questions about dealing with negativity.
Whether you’re a lifelong pessimist, an occasional overthinker, or simply someone trying to see the glass as half full more often, this episode offers encouragement and practical tools to help you along the way.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised.
In this deeply personal and important episode, Kristina tackles the ongoing issue of sexual harassment and sexual assault, with a particular focus on the rise of online sexual harassment and the troubling ways it continues to be excused, normalized, and dismissed (even by some women).
Kristina also shares her own experiences of being sexually assaulted, both as a child and as an adult, and encourages those who have gone through similar experiences to speak up. Your voice matters. Your story matters. Your dignity matters.
Family vacations can create lasting memories, but they can also come with a hefty price tag. Kristina sits down with Carey Reilly, a lifestyle TV contributor and writer, to share practical money-saving tips that can make family travel more affordable and less stressful.
In this powerful episode, Kristina sits down with Jacy, the remarkable woman she credits with helping save her son's life during one of the darkest periods of his mental health struggles. Through a raw and inspiring conversation, she shares her own journey from a childhood marked by severe trauma and abuse to dedicating her life to helping young people find hope and a path forward. Her story is a moving reminder that no matter how difficult your past, healing, hope, and transformation are possible.
(Jacy now runs a non-profit organization that helps adolescents who are struggling: https://mmmya.org/
This episode explores what it takes to create healthy, thriving relationships at every stage of life. How do we set ourselves up to be healthy partners and choose the right partner for a thriving relationship? Whether you're single, have been with your partner for decades, or simply want guidance on what to teach your kids before they start dating, this episode offers practical insights.
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.
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.
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