Welcome back to “Another Way to Think About It,” where we ditch the idea of right answers and have real conversations that dig into life’s messy and beautiful questions. We’re your hosts, Lynn and Cynthia—two longtime friends who've had our fair share of life’s curveballs, and who believe a little humor and a whole lot of heart can go a long way. In this episode, we’re diving deep into what it takes to keep our hearts open (especially when life makes us want to shut down), the importance of staying present, and the imperfect art of supporting each other through all of it.

This week, we lean right into the challenges of the holiday season, reflecting on what hardens our hearts and how we come back to ourselves when things get tough. From the realities of caregiving and family stress to pulling out our tried-and-true tools for support, you’ll hear us get personal—sometimes serious, sometimes silly, and always real—about navigating fear, anger, and overwhelm. Lynn Kindler shares raw memories of dissociation and self-medicating in tough times, as well as the power of relationship support and learning to ask for help. Cynthia Zeito gets honest about the distractions that steal our presence, the necessity of compassion, and learning to apologize with action, not just words. Together, we figure out (in real time!) how grace, laughter, and clean Pilates butts help us keep showing up as our truest selves.

What We Discussed

1. The struggles of keeping our hearts open when overwhelmed or afraid
2. Why presence is so easily lost—and ways to recognize when you’re checked out
3. Personal stories about dealing with anxiety, panic, and old coping mechanisms
4. Navigating relationship conflict, intimacy issues, and the work of real communication
5. The difference between reaching out for support and seeking someone to “fix” us
6. The role of friendship, support systems, and vulnerability (even if it’s uncomfortable!)
7. Using recovery tools and therapy to ground ourselves in the present
8. The importance of apologizing genuinely, and the many ways women say “I’m sorry”
9. Lighthearted lessons from Pilates, clean butts, and going off on silly tangents
10. Encouragement to do your inner work during the “lulls”—before crisis hits

If this episode gave you another way to think about your own heart (or at least made you laugh or feel a little lighter), we’d love for you to hit subscribe and join us for more honest, imperfect, and heartfelt conversations. The holiday season can be tough, but you don’t have to navigate it alone—come hang out with us and let’s keep finding another way to think about it, together. See you next time!

Welcome back to "Another Way to Think About It," where we invite you into our real, unfiltered conversations that swap out “right” answers for honest sharing. We're Lynn Kindler and Cynthia Zeito—longtime friends exploring life’s messiest questions with humor, vulnerability, and lots of heart.

We took a break for a little rebranding, but we’re back and kicking off our refreshed show by diving headfirst into the chaotic world of the holiday season—specifically, how we try to keep a grip on our sanity when the “shiitake” hits the fan. We pulled back the curtain on our personal experiences, shared the emotional rollercoaster we both ride as highly empathic women, and most of all, we laughed with each other (and at ourselves!).

We talked about how family histories, expectations, and memories of loss can complicate this time of year, even when you’ve done “all the work.” Both of us revealed tools from years of meditation, therapy, and 12-step programs, but also admitted that sometimes, you just need to hide out in the bathroom, cry, or fake-laugh until it turns real. We explore how personal triggers (hello, money stress!), old wounds, and ever-changing relationships can amp up the stress, but also lead to precious growth if we let them.

Highlights from this episode include:

1. Navigating old emotions and expectations during the holidays
2. The surprising value of grace, boundaries, and deep breaths (literally!)
3. Admitting when we’re resentful or angry—and why naming our feelings out loud shifts everything
4. Real talk about spiritual arrogance and self-improvement
5. Why it’s okay to take a bathroom break at a family gathering—or laugh until you actually feel better
6. How being empathic makes the holiday season even more intense
7. The magic of silly animal voices and “orgasmic laughter” as therapy
8. Passing on the wisdom of mentors, sponsors, and beloved chosen family

If you’re searching for a space where holiday chaos is met with compassion, where you can learn to laugh at life’s messes, and where you might pick up a new tool (or lipstick shade!), you’re in the right place.

If this episode gave you another way to think about sanity during the holidays, please hit subscribe and join us next time for another honest, curious conversation. We love you, and we’re grateful you’re here.

Lynn & Cynthia