Hey, Sisters. If you're a believer in astrology or you're simply interested in what's behind the science of it, this is the episode for you.

We've both experienced some pretty amazing insights since we found Omar Senior. What we absolutely love about his readings (and him!) is his vast knowledge of astrology and the science behind it. In other words, we're sold!

Omar Senior is a dedicated astrologer who has immersed himself in the study of astrology for two decades. On a mission to share the profound insights of astrology with a global audience -- and a passion for making this ancient wisdom accessible to as many people as possible -- Omar is the visionary creator behind blackastrology.com. Through his work, he strives to equip others with the tools necessary to navigate life's journey and tap into the cosmic energies that shape our existence. You can also find him on his YouTube channel.

Abby and Julie open the episode with their own thoughts about astrology and Abby's ongoing issues with other drivers who are clearly struggling with the rules of the road.

Hey, Sisters. We can't seem to take a breath these days without hearing some new thing about narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder. How 'bout you?

Enter social media's The Nameless Narcissist, Jacob Skidmore. He's all over your feeds talking about his own diagnosis of NPD -- and helping millions of people in the process understand the narcissists in their lives.

Our conversation with Jacob was honest, refreshing, and (at times) disturbing, as he unveiled the inner workings, thoughts, and motivations of a someone with a diagnosis of NPD.

Cluster B personality disorders (of which NPD is one) will never fail to capture our imaginations, raise our ire, and make us scratch our heads. But so much of what we think we know about the people who suffer from these mental illnesses is rarely from the horse's mouth.

Listen in as The Nameless Narcissist pulls back the curtain on how narcissists feel (or not), and why they behave the way they do -- even when they know they're hurting those they claim to love.

Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Karens. Who are they? And what defines a Karen?

This is NOT your mother's menopause, Sisters! Yes, it is the time of life when you can no longer procreate (Hallelujah to that!), but it's also the time of life to start creating the life YOU want. Don't believe it? Our guest, Julie Gordon White, will surely change your mind. 

Julie Gordon White is an award-winning entrepreneur focused on improving suppportive nutrition and building community for women in midlife and menopause. She is an expert on the intersections of nutritional science and menopause.

Julie is the founder of MenoWell Energy Bars (Bossa Bars). These energy bars are made expressly for women in all stages of menopause to optimize the nutrition our bodies are craving as we go through "the change." They're also one of Oprah's selections as a Best Menopause Product.

Julie is working to redefine and empower the experience of menopause and midlife for women and she herself is a glowing example of midlife reinvention. She believes in facing 50 head-on, pivoting, reinventing, and owning midlife as the best time in life.

Abby and Julie open the podcast discussing why Abby is a little wary about her private psychotherapy clients discovering Sisters Cracking Up.

Hey, Sisters, could this be YOU? (It's us, that's for sure!)

Another day, another misdiagnosis of a disorder that plagues so many women. It's common for symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) to be overlooked or "explained away" by professionals as depression, anxiety, or overwhelm when it shows up in women. 

Chances are, if you suspect you have this diagnosis, it's gone undiagnosed since you were little. And all the while you've beaten yourself up wondering why you simply can't be as organized or focused as you perceive others to be. 

The good news is there's Sari Solden, M.S. And thankfully we have her on this episode of Sisters Cracking Up. Both of us have been dogged by the symptoms of ADD for years and we're just starting to recognize the impact it's had on our lives. If you suspect you may have this diagnosis as well, don't ignore it or wish it away -- there's practical, life-changing help!

Psychotherapist Sari Solden specializes in working with men and women with ADHD and the mental health professionals who want to help them. She has been counseling adults and supporting neurodiverse women with ADHD for 35 years. Her areas of specialization include women's issues, inattentive ADHD, and the emotional consequences for adults who grew up with undiagnosed ADHD.

Sari Solden has written three books on the topic: Women with Attention Deficit Disorder, Journeys Through ADDulthood, and A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD.

Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Abby's superior driving skills and the importance of being prepared when returning packages. Spoiler alert: FFS, have your QR code ready, people!

Hey, Sisters. Ever wonder what's actually going on in your body during menopause? And why we can have some really uncomfortable symptoms when we're going through it?

Hot flashes, crankiness, and exhaustion are just some of the things you might experience. Did you know these are all caused by the hormonal changes that accompany this time of life? And that symptoms can show up as early as your 30s?

Did you also know there are tried and true treatments for your symptoms that will help you manage through menopause?

Kate Wells is our guest and she is an expert on all things menopause and hormones. Kate is the co-founder of Parlor Games LLC, a company that specializes in solutions for women's health around menopause and beyond. Women's health is complex -- the hormones that govern much of our lives from puberty to menopause have a huge impact in overall wellness. After menopause, instead of a balanced state, women are often in a state of hormone insufficiency which has a profound impact on their physical, mental, and emotional health. With a line of products supporting women's health and a focus on education, Parlor Games has already changed the lives of thousands of women with theircommitment to science, sisterhood, and solutions. Learn more at parlor-games.com

Abby and Julie open the episode discussing what a mother-of-the-groom should wear, the fancy dresses of the 1980s, and hating music.

It's THAT time of life, Sisters. The time when we can choose to live truer to our own selves, or just slog through life telling ourselves the same, tired stories and never making the changes necessary to live more authentically.

Enter Dr. Carolyn Kurle, author of The Guidance Groove: Escape Unproductive Habits, Trust Your Intuition, and Be True. Lucky for us, she has a lot of brilliance to share on what we can do to shift our thinking and behaviors.

According to Dr. Kurle, there's a voice inside you that knows what to do every single time you are faced with a choice. And that voice is your authenticity and your truth. It is your Guidance Groove! 

Listen in and learn how to reject your unproductive grooves -- inadequacy, obligation, scarcity, and unworthiness -- and live a life of honesty, truth, and self-respect.

Dr. Carolyn Kurle is a tenured Biology Professor at the University of California, San Diego, and the author of numerous research articles aimed to improve
conservation strategies for imperiled species and habitats. Her work teaching hundreds of outstanding students at UCSD, many of whom paradoxically struggle to find ease, motivated her to write this book for connecting with your guidance to increase personal authenticity and contentment.

Abby and Julie open the episode discussing plastic surgery, baby showers, and channeling their mom.

It's time to talk about menopause, Sisters! And, yes, this means you. Whether you're 35 or 65, you're going to learn a lot about how to manage this inevitable life change with none other than the extraordinary Clarissa Kristjansson.

We found Clarissa through her amazing, top-rated podcast, Thriving Through Menopause, and we knew we'd learn a thing or two about menopause from her. She's devoted her career to helping menopausal women thrive through the changes that menopause brings.

Clarissa holds a doctorate in neuroscience and honors degrees in food and nutrition. She's a published mindfulness author, health and wellness coach, and experienced mindfulness and Qigong teacher. She practices an integrative approach to working with women to manage menopausal symptoms. 

Abby and Julie open the episode with an in-depth discussion of the male equivalent of resting bitch face and why roasted marshmallows are indeed a delicacy.

Yes, Sisters. It's already THAT time of the year. For some, back-to-school simply means the kiddos are heading back to the classroom. But for others, it may mean that your kid (or kiddos) is launching. Where they're headed (college, job, military, gap year, or simply moving out of the family home), isn't as important as the fact that your kid-centric life is now coming to a seemingly abrupt end.

The empty nest can be an emotional time of reflection and significant change. We wonder if we can remain close to our kids as they start their new journeys. We may also have fears about our partnerships: Will they and can they survive without the children as the focal point of your lives?

Celia Dodd, author of The Empty Nest: How to Survive and Stay Close to Your Adult Child, can help. Borne of her own experience of the empty nest, she set out to provide parents with a guidebook for better understanding this phase of parenting, and ways to manage the roller coaster of emotions that can come with it. 

If you're facing the empty nest in a couple of days, weeks, or years, you don't want to miss this episode. Hint: Successfully planning ahead for this change is possible!

Celia Dodd is a journalist and author who wrote regularly for The Times, the Independent and other national newspapers and magazines, focusing on relationships, family, life, health, and education. After 30 years as a journalist, she turned to writing books about parenting and major transitions in life, such as the empty nest and retirement. 

Abby opens the episode by quizzing Julie on how well she knows the both of them as sisters. They also discuss what to do about gifts from your spouse you don't like.

Sisters, if we've lived long enough, we already know trauma (and healing from it) can be a stubborn beast. We also know that our body stores our trauma until we do the work to release it.

Enter Laura Khoudari, author of Lifting Heavy Things: Healing Trauma One Rep at a Time. She is a trauma practitioner, certified personal trainer, and corrective exercise specialist. 

Khoudari found that strength training was a modality that worked in her own trauma healing journey and she generously shares her experience, insights, and wisdom for those looking to experience movement as a way back to health, healing, and self-care.

This interview is not about how to weight train. It is about using exercise and movement as a way to release ourselves from shame, negative self-talk, and self-doubt. It is about moving your body to heal -- and finding your way back to you.

Hey, Sisters. Got trauma? You, too?  We've all had some. Question is, have you dealt with yours effectively? Or, have you tried different approaches and modalities to heal from trauma which either don't help or even make matters worse?

So many of us tell ourselves that our trauma doesn't "count" because there's always someone with a more tragic tale. This attitude does so much to increase our stress and impede our healing. It can prevent us from getting the help we need.

Dr. Elizabeth Stanley gets all of this and so much more. Her book, "Widen the Window: Training Your Brain and Body to Thrive During Stress and Recover from Trauma," was borne of attempting to heal from her own striking stress and trauma. She made it her professional mission to help others "widen the window" within which our thinking brain and survival brain work together cooperatively, enabling us to activate our resilience and best selves.

If you're interested in trauma, stress, and tips for recovery, you don't want to miss this episode. 

Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Abby's unique tailoring idea for her new jumpsuit.

Elizabeth A. Stanley, Ph.D. is a professor of security studies with joint appointments in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and the Department of Government. Earlier in her career, she served as a U.S. Army intelligence officer in South Korea, Germany, and on peacekeeping deployments to the Balkans, leaving service as a captain. She is the creator of Mindfulness-based Mind Fitness Training (MMFT), tested through four neuroscience research studies with the U.S. military.