The Paula Faris Show

Latest Episodes:

The Fight for Paid Family Leave with Erin Erenberg, the Chamber of Mothers Co-founder Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

There’s a lot we don’t agree on in this country. But one issue that gets overwhelming support among voters is the need to support moms and families in this country, from paid family leave, to affordable childcare and improved maternal health.

Those issues shouldn't be a luxury. They should be a necessity, if we want to support families and grow our economy.

I’m talking to Erin Erenberg, the co-founder of Chamber of Mothers, a non-partisan organization that is doing the work on those very issues in Washington, D.C.

Erin shares why she’s optimistic about these issues, plus how we can get involved in changing the game for moms and families.

Also, hear why we shouldn’t have to choose between kids and career in this country.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more :

(01:39) Support for Moms

(08:40) Empowering Moms for Change

(15:48) Moms in Leadership Driving Change

(18:38) Optimism for Maternal Support Initiatives

(24:45) Policy Shifts Cultures on Working Moms

(35:36) Men and Women Facing Gender Equality

(39:52) Advocating for Working Moms

In this episode, we are digging into the importance of paid family leave, the number one barrier to women in the workforce, the importance of access to affordable and quality childcare, the economic impact of policies that support families, different perspectives of motherhood and work, and why moms make great employees.

Links:

Learn about Chamber of Mothers

Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter

Connect with Paula

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Paula & John: How To Keep it Spicy with Your Partner Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

We’re capping our series on dating and relationships with a conversation about how to keep it spicy with your partner. 🌶️

Over half of Americans don’t date their partner regularly, and it’s taking a toll on our relationships. We’re spending all our energy on our kids, and we’re not prioritizing one another.

However, for the couples that are intentional about connecting, they typically have happier and more stable relationships.

So, what do we do next? John and I talk about some really creative ways to connect with your partner and a few ideas to keep it spicy. We also give an update on our connectivity challenge.

Plus, what most women really want from their partner.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

(02:25) Prioritizing Marriage Over Busy Family Life (81 Seconds)

(08:05) Lack of Dates in Relationships (49 Seconds)

(20:16) Sharing the Mental Load in Relationships (120 Seconds)

(24:51) Spicing Up Relationships (67 Seconds)

(30:02) The 222 Rule for Relationships (18 Seconds)

In this episode, we are diving into prioritizing your relationship with your partner, how loving our partner well influences our kids’ emotional health and future relationships, common barriers to regular date nights, the importance of finding a shared interest with your partner, connecting with your partner physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, and ideas for spicing up date nights.

LINKS:

Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter

Connect with Paula

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Navigating our Teens Dating with Therapists Sissy Goff and David Thomas Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

One thing I haven’t been ready for has been navigating our teenagers dating. And I know so many of you feel the same. So, I’ve invited therapists Sissy Goff and David Thomas back on the show to help us work through it. (Jesus, Take the Wheel, PLEASE!)

This is the conversation I wish I’d had years ago, when this whole process started in our home.

Everything we’re talking about in this episode is based on a question or topic that you sent us.

We’ll be looking at this topic from five main angles:

When should we allow our teens to date?
What is the purpose of dating in high school?
What are healthy boundaries?
Concerns about how teens date today.
How much authority do we have over the process?

Something I wasn’t expecting to happen? I had a change of heart about how I feel about my kids dating in high school.

This is an episode you’ll want to share with all your friends going through this season of parenting….and maybe you’ll listen to it with your teens, as well.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

(07:04) Healthy Intimacy in Teen Dating

(11:00) Age-Appropriate Relationship Building in Adolescents

(17:17) Navigating High School Dating Quality

(24:46) Navigating Parental Boundaries and Communication

(31:45) Setting Boundaries in Relationships

(36:20) Parenting and Communication With Adolescents

(41:20) Conversations About Sex and Parenting

(47:59) Limiting Technology in Dating Conversations

(54:27) Navigating Parental Boundaries and Communication

In this episode, we are digging into a helpful framework for viewing teen dating, why we should allow our teens to date, the purpose of teen dating, changing our expectations around teen dating, how dating has changed over time, parent and therapist concerns about teen dating, intensity versus intimacy in relationships, the emotional impact of sexual intimacy, teaching our teens healthy intimacy and boundaries without shame, and why boundaries are about more than just sex.

RAISING BOYS AND GIRLS PODCAST

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Single in your 40’s -What Our Single Friends Want Us To Know With Annie F. Downs Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

We all have single friends. After all, 40% of Americans are single.

As we continue our series on relationships and dating, I’ve invited my dear friend Annie F Downs on the show to talk about what it’s like dating in your 40s and what our single friends want us to know.

Annie has never been married, and she hilariously shares what she’s looking for in a guy (you’ll never guess her type!) and where the majority of singles want to find love, plus the role their married friends can have in it.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

(02:34) Unequal Household Labor in Relationships

(06:26) Time Management Mishap With Annie

(09:48) Evolution of Dating in Technology

(15:25) Navigating the Dating Pool

(31:07) Marriage vs. Singleness in Religion

(40:38) Summer Lovin' Podcast Impact

(46:49) Deep Friendship and Unconditional Love

LINKS

Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter

Connect with Paula

Connect with Annie

Single Purpose League

The Fairplay Cards

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Dating as a Single Mom with @Honestly.Kaitlyn’s Kaitlyn Nilles Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Love isn’t enough -- especially when you have kids.

Love doesn’t pay the bills or pick up the domestic load at home.

And often, that lack of connection (it’s never just one thing) leads to the eventual breakdown of a relationship.

@Honestly.Kaitlyn’s Kaitlyn Nilles says it was a myriad of issues that led to her divorce and life as a single mom of two young children.

Now, Kaitlyn is opening up about what it’s been like to date as a single mom, why divorce was the best thing that happened to her….and the plot twist that not even she saw coming.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

(04:04) Successful Co-Parenting After Divorce

(08:15) Priorities in Dating and Parenthood

(12:24) Balancing Motherhood and Self-Care

(18:13) Rekindled Feelings After Divorce

(22:39) Reevaluating Gender Roles After Divorce

(25:59) Domestic Task Delegation and Tools

(38:29) Weekly Family Board Meetings for Coordination

In this episode, we are delving into putting yourself back out there after divorce, why love is not enough to sustain a relationship, what it’s like to be a single mom, encouragement for single parents, developing a respectful co-parenting relationship, and the importance of sharing the invisible work of the home and family.

Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter

Connect with Paula

Connect with Kaitlyn

The Fairplay Cards

Paula’s Episode on the Mental Load

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Dating after Divorce with Podcaster and Mom, Patrice Washington Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

Because relationships are the #1 topic you’ve been asking me to talk about, I’m doing a series on dating and covering it from a lot of different angles—from dating after divorce to navigating our teen dating and how to keep it spicy with our partner.

Did you know that 40% of Americans are single? Either they’re divorced, widowed or never married. That blew my mind.

So, this week, I’ve invited Patrice Washington to the show to talk about her journey dating after divorce. You may be familiar with Patrice because she’s built a professional platform as a financial expert, but her personal life was another story, as she found herself divorced in her 40’s and a single mom.

Patrice shares her journey back on the dating scene, what it’s like blending families and the “twist” on her experience.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

(02:55) Dating After Divorce

(14:29) Navigating Dating

(27:17) Importance of Showing Authentic Self

(32:31) Dating Preferences and Parenting Priorities

(39:02) Embracing Radical Honesty in Relationships

(43:54) Rekindling Love (66 Seconds)

In this episode, we are diving into what dating after divorce is really like, getting clear on what you want in a partner, modeling respect and boundaries in dating for our daughters, making and finding time to date when your life is full, being your authentic self in dating and relationships, and advice for putting yourself back out there in the dating world.

Connect with Patrice

Patrice’s Podcast

Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter

Connect with Paula on Instagram

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HOT TOPICS: Paula & John Talk College Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

John and I have learned a lot about the whole college process and can’t wait to share it with you–from the first thing you should do in the process to what our role as parents should be, plus why it’s more stressful than ever.

In this episode, you’ll hear from our teenage daughter, Caroline, plus the former Admissions Director of Dartmouth, Becky Sabky, shedding some light on this confusion and competitive process.

And, Caroline shares her most important takeaway, yet, from the college process.

This episode caps our January HOT TOPICS series, where John and I are talking about our hottest topics ever on the podcast.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It.

Listen to learn more :

(01:33) Navigating the College Admissions Process

(09:24) Common Mistakes in the College Application Process

(14:37) Evolution of College Culture in America

(18:42) Career Paths Beyond College Expectations

(26:48) College Admissions and Personal Worth

(32:25) Supporting Kids With Changing Majors

(42:04) Choosing Between Passion and Practicality

(51:12) Degree vs Experience in Job Hunt

In this episode, we are diving into understanding the college admissions process, what really matters in a college recommendation letter, a parent’s role in the college admissions process, words of wisdom for navigating a college rejection letter, the pros and cons of a gap year, and advice for navigating financial aid.

Read Becky’s book

Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter

Connect with Paula on Instagram

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“Let's Talk about College “ Podcast Series

https://pod.link/1707980698/episode/90ca8adb88e395c47b460c978d178871

https://pod.link/1707980698/episode/54884efb32bce19ded771107a2d4c37b

https://pod.link/1707980698/episode/a45ebfb86e7b836ed5156f1f7b3f1065

https://pod.link/1707980698/episode/b41bb523dce7a143d5f3334c8f0411cc

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HOT TOPICS: Paula & John Talk Politics Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

There was a change of power in the White House this week and it only seems appropriate to talk about politics, specifically how we can discuss politics with those who don’t necessarily align with our views.

Maybe the reason we’re so divided is because we’re talking about it wrong? Or because we have unrealistic expectations?

In this episode, you’ll hear from Sharon McMahon, aka America’s Government Teacher on how we can effectively talk politics with our kids, family and friends.

This episode is part of our January HOT TOPICS series, in which John and I discuss the hottest topics on the podcast.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

(03:53) Navigating Political Conversations With Empathy

(06:40) Family Values and Moral Imperatives

(20:30) Information Filtered Through Various Perspectives

(26:54) Blurred Lines in Journalism

(34:47) Empowering Unsung American History Book

(41:06) Approaching Conversations With Curiosity

SUMMARY

In this episode, we discuss how to teach our kids to talk about politics respectfully, approach political conversations with curiosity, learn from and befriend people we disagree with, give our children age-appropriate agency, the key to teaching and developing critical thinking skills, why bias and lies are not the same thing, and understand the difference between fact reporting and opinion content.

LINKS

Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter

Connect with Sharon

Sharon's new book

1440 News (Paula’s pick)

Alloy Menopause Telehealth for Menopause

(use my code: PAULA42103 for a $15 credit towards your RX!

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Let’s Talk Politics with Sharon FULL Episode - https://pod.link/1707980698/episode/d6077692af15638e353ba59f6f2945c1

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HOT TOPICS: Paula & John Talk Teenagers Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

This week, John and I are talking about how we can connect with our teenagers. Specifically, our moody teenage daughters. Let’s face it, raising teenagers isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s arguably the most challenging phase of parenting.

If you’re wondering what happened to your darling child or struggling with the fact they don’t need us as much anymore, you’re not alone. This conversation is for you.

This episode is part of our January HOT TOPICS series where John and I are talking about our hottest topics ever on the podcast. You’ll hear from therapist Sissy Goff and our daughter Caroline in this episode and learn the ONE question we should be asking our teenagers.

Life Happens. As do the teenage years!

Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

(05:46) Understanding Teenage Girls in Today's World

(12:35) Parental Concerns Over College-Aged Children

(17:39) Respecting Boundaries and Personal Space

(28:38) Mother-Daughter Relationship Dynamics

(35:22) 30-Day Couples Challenge for Connection

(40:16) Parenting Teenage Autonomy and Support

(43:43) Listening to Teenage Girls

In this episode, we are digging into why teenagers are so self-absorbed (good news: it’s normal!), the hard parts of our kids growing up and becoming more independent, how to support and connect with our teen girls, giving our teens the space they need to become independent, ideas for connecting with your teen, and navigating tension in the mother-daughter relationship.

LINKS

Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter

Connecting with our Teen Boys Pt 1

Connecting with our Teen Boys Pt 2

Alloy Menopause Telehealth for Menopause ((use my code: PAULA42103 for a free $49 consult)

“Let’s Talk Teenagers” Podcast Series

https://pod.link/1707980698/episode/6e5402f7aa45420872d43562e11dd085

https://pod.link/1707980698/episode/fcf31bbb6cb0984365c5a31476fd1a1a

https://pod.link/1707980698/episode/1a19fc02c51c28813c4c9e784df7dab0

https://pod.link/1707980698/episode/78203c5576bac01596deedc5bbf9c7c1

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HOT TOPICS : Paula & John on Menopause Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

John and I are recapping our hottest topics from 2024 that are already dominating the conversation in 2025. This week, we’re tackling MENOPAUSE, specifically how we need to approach NUTRITION and EXERCISE during these years, which can begin as early as your mid-30s!

Speaking of, did you hit your protein goals today? :)

John and I are revisiting a conversation we had with Dr Jen Ashton, the founder of Ajenda and former ABC Chief Medical Correspondent.

We discuss what’s happening to our bodies during this time, how we can best prepare, and why protein is essential.

Plus, wait till you hear what John convinced me to do in 2025 that I never thought I’d do!

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more :

(01:28) Menopause and Perimenopause Nutrition & Exercise

(07:15) Hormones and Lean Muscle Mass Decline

(17:34) Importance of Leucine in Muscle Synthesis

(20:33) Nutritionist Emphasizes Sugar, Protein Importance

(23:28) FDA-Approved Weight Loss Medications

(38:17) Importance of Healthy Body Weight

(50:23) The Pursuit of Health and Strength

In this episode, we are digging into contributing factors to midlife weight gain, exactly how much protein you need per day and how to get it, the two most important numbers on a nutrition label, why strength matters more than appearance, the importance of lifting heavy weights and a variety of exercise for women, the three things your body needs every day, simple and free ways to build strength and balance, and being proactive when it comes to menopause.

Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter

Get Dr Jen’s Newsletter

Find a menopause-trained doctor

ALLOY Menopause Telehealth (use my code: PAULA42103 for $25 off)

Paula’s Fave weighted vest

Let’s Talk about Menopause “ Podcast Series

https://pod.link/1707980698/episode/3c3798915272b105447e3fb6417914d9

https://pod.link/1707980698/episode/00e30d39551de6fe2ede40feeafd9be9

https://pod.link/1707980698/episode/8f2cfb8bdabd077f12815a64437ac26a

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