The Paula Faris Show

Latest Episodes:

MOMFESSIONS: Why Girls Are a Heartache and Boys Are a Heart Attack and (And What We Get Wrong About Raising Them) Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

I’ve always said: boys are a heart attack and girls are a heartache. And if you’ve ever rushed a son to the ER or helped your daughter navigate friendship drama, you probably know exactly what I mean

We’re back with Momfessions–our month-long series, talking about how we really feel about some of parenting's biggest, hottest topics. And I’m joined by my teammate at CARRY Media, Kristen White, a mom to three boys.

This week: Why We Raise Boys and Girls Differently (Without Even Realizing It)

It got me thinking: are those differences really about our kids…or about how we’re raising them?

Kristin and I talk about the stereotypes we’ve accepted, the double standards we don’t even notice, and the different expectations we place on our sons and daughters, from emotions and independence to responsibility and resilience.

And my biggest takeaway? Maybe we need to stop telling our boys to “man up” and start teaching all our kids to simply be good humans.

This one might make you laugh, cringe, and rethink a few things (it certainly did for me).

Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

[0:00:08] Baptism by Boy Mom Life

[0:03:20] Girls are Heartache, Boys are Heart Attack

[0:04:00] When the ER Becomes Your Second Home

[0:05:25] The Golf Course Splinter Saga

[0:08:09] Girl Drama, Social Media, and Mama Heartache

[0:09:31] Caroline’s Leadership vs. Little Brother Chaos

In this episode, we are diving into the unique challenges of parenting boys and girls, how gender stereotypes and societal expectations shape our approach to parenting, and the importance of being intentional as we raise confident, compassionate children with strong character.

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MOMFESSIONS: Why Summer Isn’t A Break Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

We’re back with Momfessions–—our month-long series, talking about how we really feel about some of parenting's biggest, hottest topics. And I’m joined by my teammate at CARRY Media, Kristen White, a mom to three boys.

This week: Why Summer Isn't a Break.

We spend all year dreaming about summer, but when it finally arrives, many of us are juggling childcare, camps, schedules, work, guilt, and the pressure to make it all feel magical.

In this episode, we're sharing our real thoughts about summer, why so many parents feel exhausted before it even begins, and practical ways to enjoy it without burning out. Plus, Kristen introduces a simple idea called "Proof of Mom" that just might change the way you experience this season.

Because your kids aren't the only ones allowed to have a summer.

Let's Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

[0:00:37] Complicated Feelings About Kids Home All Day

[0:01:08] Expectation vs Reality of the Perfect Summer

[0:03:25] Proof of Mom and Moms in Their Own Memories

[0:05:01] The Impossible Math of Summer Childcare

[0:09:27] Lowering the Bar on a Magical Summer

In this episode, we are digging into summer parenting challenges for working parents, including summer childcare and scheduling issues, managing the mental load, letting go of unrealistic expectations and the pressure to make summer magical, why it's okay for kids to be bored, and why children benefit from seeing their parents enjoy summer, hobbies, and personal time too.

LINKS

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Paula’s Newsletter is on Substack!!

THE CARRY ALL weekly newsletter is on Substack!!

Download the Savor Your Summer Guide HERE

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MOMFESSIONS: We Survived Maycember. Barely. Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

All month long, Kristen White and I are sharing our Momfessions – how we really feel about some of parenting’s biggest, messiest, most talked-about topics.

Kristen is my teammate at CARRY Media and a boy mom to three boys, so trust me: we have thoughts.

First up: Maycember.

You know…the month we just survived. But barely.

It’s the month that feels like December-level chaos but delivers exactly none of the holiday magic. Concerts. Field days. Teacher gifts. Sports banquets. Spirit weeks. Summer planning. Working. Parenting. Existing. Graduations!

In this episode, we’re looking back at what May did to us, why modern parenting feels unsustainable this time of year, and practical ways to make sure next May doesn’t completely take us out.

Because if next May looks exactly like this May…we may not make it.

Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

[0:00:00] Maycember Overwhelm for Parents

[0:06:59] Mental Load and Triple Logistics in May

[0:09:54] Letting Go of Guilt and Missed Events

[0:18:38] You Can’t Do It All, and That’s Okay

[0:21:03] Minimum Viable Parenting Mindset

[0:24:16] Evolving Beyond the Pinterest Mom

[0:24:57] Workplaces Need May Flexibility

In this episode, we are digging into surviving the chaos of “Maycember,” the challenges of balancing school activities with standard work hours, how our communication with our kids shapes their perceptions, practical strategies for managing busy families, giving yourself grace as a parent, and how employers can better support working parents during the demanding month of May.

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I Wish Someone Had Told Me My Kid’s Graduation Would Wreck Me May 26, 2026

Show notes

I knew this would be emotional.

I just didn’t realize it would be this hard.

In the final episode of my I Wish Someone Had Told Me series, I’m sitting down with Niro Feliciano—a mom of four who’s already been through this—to talk about my daughter’s graduation…and honestly, I’m a hot mess.

People can try to explain what the moment is like, but until you’re in it, it’s hard to fully comprehend.

Someone once described it as “grief wrapped in celebration,” and honestly, that’s the best way to put it.

You’re so proud. Super excited for them.And at the same time… you’re trying to process how fast it all went.

We talk about:

That “weird trifecta” of emotions—happy, sad, and everything in between
How the rhythm of your family changes overnight
And what’s on the other side of this: a different, and often deeper, relationship with your child

Niro is also our comfort animal (lol) because she offers perspective, encouragement, and the reminder that this season—while hard—is also full of growth and beauty.

If you’re in this season—or heading toward it—let’s talk about it.

Because it’s not the end, but it is a change.

And it’s okay to feel all of it.

Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

[0:03:03] Mixed emotions of grief and celebration around a child’s graduation
[0:04:59] Parenting goal framed as launching capable, confident, independent kids
[0:08:35] Graduation grief linked to the speed of childhood and the passage of time
[0:16:09] New grief opening a box of earlier grief and regrets about parents
[0:17:09] Practical strategies: choose moments to be present and plan future anchors

In this episode, we are digging into why high school graduation can feel like grief wrapped in celebration, how parenting years pass so quickly, why major life transitions can resurface past grief, the evolving parent-child relationship after graduation, and practical advice for parents navigating every stage of raising teens and young adults.

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I Wish Someone Had Told Me Perimenopause Could Affect My Mental Health This Much May 19, 2026

Show notes

There was a season not long ago when I didn’t feel like myself at all. Overwhelmed. Emotional. In a really dark place.

No one really prepares you for this part.

Perimenopause isn’t just hot flashes and mood swings; it can quietly impact your mental health in ways you don’t expect.

Even though I could point to many of the reasons… I wasn’t at all prepared for how deeply it would affect me.

In this episode, I’m opening up about that season, and I’m joined by my friend, psychotherapist Niro Feliciano, to help make sense of what so many women in midlife are quietly experiencing.

For many of us, it’s a perfect storm: grief, stress, shifting identity, and hormonal changes all colliding at once.

We talk about:

Why some women experience anxiety or depression for the first time
Why this stage of life can feel so emotionally intense
How hormonal shifts impact your brain, mood, and sense of self
And what actually helps: support, connection, and getting the right kind of care

If you’ve been feeling off, overwhelmed, or not like yourself… you’re not alone, and you don’t have to carry this by yourself.

Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

[0:03:17] Suicide Risk Peaks at Midlife

[0:06:49] Therapy as Lifeline in the Darkest Season

[0:13:10] Dopamine, Screens & Perimenopause Vulnerability

[0:15:11] HRT, Testosterone & Rethinking SSRIs

[0:21:18] Social Health, Friendship & Longevity

In this episode, we are diving into how perimenopause affects mental health, including hormone-related mood changes, stress, anxiety, and depression, the “perfect storm” of emotional challenges and stressors in midlife, finding the right therapist, and the powerful role of friendship and emotional support in overall wellness.

If you need someone to talk to, you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

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I Wish Someone Had Told Me Adults Have the Worst Phone Habits May 12, 2026

Show notes

We tell our kids to get off their phones…But, um, if we’re honest, we’re often the worst offenders. 🤭

So how do we actually build healthy, sustainable phone habits that work in real life?

In part two of my I Wish Someone Had Told Me series, I’m back with psychotherapist Niro Feliciano, and we’re not just naming the problem—we’re talking about how to fix it.

We talk about:

Why adults actually have the worst phone habits
The surprising stat about Gen Z that might give you hope
Why more time online can leave us feeling more disconnected
The “slow living” movement and simple ways to start
Practical, doable habits you can implement right away

If you’ve ever picked up your phone for one thing… and lost 30 minutes, you’re not alone.

The goal isn’t to ditch your phone, it’s to finally feel in control of it!

Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

[0:00:41] Adults Have Worse Phone Habits Than Their Kids

[0:02:20] Gen Z Leads the Way in Cutting Screen Time

[0:04:14] Mornings Without Phones Improve Mood and Productivity

[0:09:58] Dopamine, Addiction, and Doing Media Fasts

[0:12:02] Grayscale, App Moves, and Notification Detox

[0:19:12] Enjoying Life More When the Phone Isn’t Visible

[0:20:43] Embracing Slow Living and Intentional Offline Moments

SUMMARY:

In this episode, we are diving into how to create healthier phone habits through phone-free moments, analog activities, and slow living, practical tips for setting better boundaries with screen time, and why life feels more balanced and fulfilling when your phone is put away.

LINKS

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YOUTUBE

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I Wish Someone Had Told Me What Happens When You Give Your Kid a Phone May 05, 2026

Show notes

There’s a shift happening.

For the first time, we’re seeing legal accountability for social media companies, growing cultural pushback on screen time, and even the return of something we thought was gone for good—the landline!

All of it pointing to one question: what are phones actually doing to our kids?

We gave them for all the right reasons: safety, connection, convenience.But we know more now than we did then.

And if we’re honest… we might have done things differently.

In the first episode of my I Wish Someone Had Told Me series, I’m joined by my friend—author, mom, and psychotherapist Niro Feliciano—for a real, no-judgment conversation about giving phones to our kids.

Because chances are… you’ve already done it. I have too.

We talk about:

The cultural pushback
Legal accountability and what it means
The changes we’ve seen in our own kids
Plus, the return of the landline

And why this becomes one of the biggest parenting battles.

If you’re wondering “What have I done… and what do I do now?”—this episode is for you.

We know more now. And it’s never too late for us to do better. Let’s Talk About It.

SUMMARY

In this episode, we are digging into parenting decisions around kids and smartphones, how and why those rules evolve over time, landmark court cases on social media’s impact on teen mental health, the dopamine deficit and why social media use often looks a lot like addiction, the importance of nuanced family tech conversations, how boredom builds resilience in children and teens, the resurgence of landlines, and smartphone alternatives for families.

Next week: I Wish Someone Had Told Me Adults Have the Worst Phone Habits

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Your Biggest Enneagram Questions - Answered Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

Let’s answer the questions everyone asks about the Enneagram:

Can your type change? Why do your results keep changing? What if you relate to more than one type?

We’re wrapping up our month-long series with Enneagram expert and author Ian Morgan Cron by getting clear on what actually matters about the Enneagram.

This isn’t about traits. It’s about motivation: why you do what you do.

We get into mistypes, bad tests, and why you can’t outsource this to a quiz and call it done.

There’s no “best” type, but there is a healthiest version of you, and the Enneagram can help you get there.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

[0:00:00] Type Doesn’t Change, But You Evolve

[0:04:09] Why Your Test Results Keep Shifting

[0:07:21] You Are All Nine Types, But One Dominates

[0:10:19] Common Mistypes and Confusing Wings

[0:14:42] No “Best” Type and How Leaders Show Up as Nines

In this episode, we are diving into whether your Enneagram type can change over time, common Enneagram mistypes, why you shouldn’t only rely on an Enneagram test to determine your type, which Enneagram type is considered the best, and which Enneagram type is the hardest to parent.

LINKS

Connect with Paula on Instagram

Get Paula's personal newsletter– win Ian’s book!

Meet Ian Morgan Cron

Take Ian’s Enneagram Assessment: Code PAULA for 15% off

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What the Enneagram Reveals About Your Marriage and Parenting Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

You’re not fighting about what you think you’re fighting about.

We’re continuing our month-long Enneagram series with Ian Morgan Cron, and this one hits close to home.

When it comes to Enneagram types, there are no bad pairings, but there are patterns that quietly wear relationships down.

What if the tension in your marriage isn’t personal? What if it’s predictable?

Using the Enneagram as a parenting tool can help…or hurt.

When do you introduce it? How do you use it without labeling your kids too early?

We’re going there today because the Enneagram isn’t about putting people in boxes. It’s about seeing what’s actually driving them.

And once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

[0:00:00] Enneagram As Marriage Game-Changer

[0:02:59] No Bad Pairings Only Stuck Partners

[0:07:42] Character Crushes Personality In Partner Choice

[0:09:39] Don’t Rush Typing Kids Wait Till Fifteen

[0:15:18] Parent With Curiosity Not Enneagram Labels

In this episode, we are digging into how to use the Enneagram to strengthen your marriage and parenting, the Enneagram as a tool to resolve recurring relationship conflicts, why no Enneagram pairing is inherently bad, why choosing a partner based on type can be misleading, what truly matters in a life partner beyond personality, when kids and teens should learn their Enneagram type, and how to parent more effectively using the Enneagram.

LINKS

Connect with Paula on Instagram

Get Paula's personal newsletter– win a copy of Ian’s book!

Meet Ian Morgan Cron

Take Ian’s Enneagram Assessment: Code PAULA for 15% off

THE CARRY™ ALL NEWSLETTER by and for working moms

Paula’s Favorite Protein Powder 15% off

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Knowing Your Enneagram Isn’t Enough Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

We’re continuing our month-long Enneagram series with Ian Morgan Cron and getting into what most people miss.

What does “healthy” actually look like? And what does it look like when you’re off, and everyone else can see it before you do?

Every type has a pattern, a tell, a default that feels right…until it starts working against you.

Underneath each of those patterns is the same lie: When I finally get this, I’ll be okay.

Knowing your number isn’t the work. Seeing your patterns and choosing differently is.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more :

[0:00:00] Healthy Isn’t Changing Your Type, It’s Growing Awareness

[0:04:29] The “I’ll Be Okay When…” Lie for All Nine Types

[0:07:38] Using the Passions and Deadly Sins as Warning Lights

[0:18:20] SNAP: Stop, Notice, Ask, Pivot Toward Health

[0:21:40] Information Isn’t Transformation—Doing the Work (and Next Up: Relationships & Parenting)

In this episode, we are digging into becoming a healthy version of your Enneagram type, signs of unhealth in each Enneagram type, a simple framework to help you move towards health when you notice unhealthy patterns, and why understanding your type alone isn’t enough for lasting transformation.

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