In the first episode of 2026, Alyssa and Nadia tackle New Year's resolutions—though both admit the concept stresses them out. The conversation explores intention-setting, the pressure of documentation, and balancing productivity with presence.

Alyssa's resolution is simple: "be a good person." Despite finding resolutions stressful, she sets many because documenting intentions feels necessary for them to manifest. Nadia's longer list centers on one theme: not taking things too seriously. She gets caught up in work and school, forgetting to find beauty in everyday moments. Her goals focus on being more intentional, mindful, spontaneous, and present.

A vulnerable moment comes when Nadia reflects on 2025. Looking at photos on New Year's Eve made her emotional—she'd done so many fun things but hadn't appreciated them in the moment, too focused on stressful details. The beginning of the year was particularly hard with unproductive scheduling and environmental fatigue, but she became more intentional after summer.

Alyssa prefers steady year-round improvement over intense January goal-setting that fizzles out. She's planned concrete activities for 2026, including hosting a retreat in October that she hopes will become part of her career progression.

Nadia is starting MCAT prep this semester while working. She's scheduled study time in advance day-by-day, making it non-negotiable while leaving room for fun. Her MCAT books arrive the next day, with Mondays as potential off-days.

The episode ends with podcast reflections. Last semester was mostly them chatting, often about Nadia. For 2026, they want to explore topics Nadia is passionate about and bring on guests—particularly graduating friends reflecting on their college experiences and post-graduation decisions.

Takeaways

• Documentation of intentions can feel necessary for manifestation, even if it creates pressure
• Sometimes the simplest resolutions ("be a good person") are the most encompassing
• Looking back on a year through photos can reveal joy you didn't fully appreciate in the moment
• Getting caught up in stress and annoyances can prevent you from savoring experiences as they happen
• The same situation can be viewed negatively or positively—perspective is a choice
• Steady, year-round effort may be more sustainable than intense January goal-setting that fades
• Pre-scheduling important activities (like MCAT study time) makes them non-negotiable and creates space for fun
• Planning your entire semester day-by-day can help balance major responsibilities with enjoyment
• Recording what you like (books, movies, experiences) helps you remember and articulate your preferences
• Being too caught up in perfectionism or curated presentation can prevent authentic enjoyment
• It's valuable to identify what you want to change versus what you want to keep the same

Chapters

0:10–0:32 – Introduction: First Episode of 2026

0:32–1:41 – Why New Year's Resolutions Feel Stressful

1:41–3:23 – The Superstition of Setting Intentions & Documentation

3:23–5:27 – Alyssa's Simple Resolution: Be a Good Person

5:27–7:31 – Nadia's Theme: Not Taking Things Too Seriously

7:31–8:13 – Finding Beauty Beyond the Perfect Picture

8:13–10:05 – Looking Back on 2025

10:05–11:30 – Why Alyssa Doesn't Like Setting Resolutions

11:30–12:13 – What Nadia Wants to Change vs. Keep the Same

12:13–14:24 – Planning Ahead: Alyssa's October Retreat & Nadia's MCAT Prep

14:24–15:57 – Podcast Plans for 2026: Bringing on Graduating Seniors

15:57–16:31 – Closing: Wishing Everyone Gets What They're Intending

In this unplanned bonus episode, Alyssa and Nadia wrap up 2025 on a lighter note after their emotional conversation about gun violence the previous week. The discussion centers on reflection, transition, and what it means to stay authentic as life changes rapidly.

Alyssa kicks off the conversation with a viral social media trend she's been seeing: 2025 is the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac (the 9th cycle), which represents shedding things that no longer serve you, followed by 2026 being the Year of the Horse (cycle 1)—a fresh start. While Nadia hasn't encountered this trend, she shares that her astrology app Co-Star gave her 2026 resolutions focused on authenticity and surrounding herself with people who genuinely support her growth rather than just depending on her.

The conversation shifts to what they're keeping versus shedding as they enter 2026. Nadia reveals she's signed up to take the MCAT in July and will be studying throughout the spring semester while working. She reflects on discovering that she's most productive and in control when she's busy with multiple responsibilities. Rather than actively shedding things, she anticipates natural changes as most of her friends graduate in May while she finishes in December.

A poignant moment comes when they discuss the concept of "home." Nadia shares that while the Bay Area will always be her true home, Boston has become home in a different way—it's where 80% of her year is spent, where her routines are, and where she's chosen to take the MCAT because it feels most comfortable. She admits recent trips home have felt different, knowing her relationship with home might shift as she approaches graduation.

The episode concludes with reflections on the podcast itself, now 2.5 years old. They discuss how they've moved away from guest interviews this year, finding it easier and more comfortable to have direct conversations. Alyssa proposes themes for 2026: either interviewing Nadia's graduating friends about transitioning to post-college life, or bringing in physicians from different specialties as Nadia prepares for medical school. They leave it open-ended, inviting listeners to share their preferences.

Takeaways

• Year of the Snake (2025) symbolizes shedding the inauthentic; Year of the Horse (2026) represents new beginnings and fresh starts
• Staying true to yourself means not getting caught up in comparing your timeline to everyone else's path
• Being busy with meaningful responsibilities can actually create a sense of productivity and control, not just stress
• "Home" can exist in multiple places—your roots and your current base can both feel like home in different ways
• Natural life transitions (friends graduating, moving away) often create the "shedding" without forced action
• The concept of home evolves as you spend more time away—80% of the year elsewhere shifts what feels like your home base
• Taking major tests (like the MCAT) in your routine environment can reduce stress and improve performance
• Authentic podcasting means following what feels natural rather than forcing a specific format

Chapters

0:10–0:32 – Introduction: Ending 2025 on a Happier Note

0:32–1:46 – The Year of the Snake: Shedding & New Beginnings

1:46–3:37 – Co-Star Resolutions: Building Authentic Connections

3:37–5:27 – What to Shed in 2026: Staying True to Your Own Path

5:27–6:16 – Big News: Nadia Signs Up for the MCAT

6:16–7:37 – What to Keep: The Power of Productive Busyness

7:37–8:49 – Friends Going Different Directions & Coming Home

8:49–11:01 – Where is Home? Bay Area vs. Boston

11:01–11:56 – Feeling Tired of Surroundings & Needing Change

11:56–13:26 – Podcast Reflections: Why No More Guest Interviews?

13:26–14:45 – Looking Ahead: Podcast Ideas for 2026

14:45–15:02 – Closing: Happy Holidays & See You Next Year

In this emotionally charged episode, Alyssa and Nadia confront the devastating reality of gun violence in America, prompted by a recent mass shooting at Brown University. What was supposed to be the season's final, positive episode became an urgent conversation about a tragedy that hits too close to home.

Nadia shares her firsthand experience growing up with active shooter drills throughout elementary and high school—practicing hiding, barricading doors, and staying silent as routinely as fire drills. She recalls learning about Sandy Hook Elementary when she was in second grade, 13 years ago, marking the beginning of a childhood defined by preparation for violence. Now at Northeastern, she's met people with direct connections to that tragedy, realizing how interconnected these events truly are.

The conversation explores the cruel irony of their reality: students are trained to survive mass shootings as if they're inevitable natural disasters, yet unlike earthquakes, these tragedies are preventable. Alyssa expresses heartbreak over a generation that has never known safety in schools, while Nadia describes the constant anxiety of knowing violence could happen anywhere—in classrooms, movie theaters, or public spaces.

They discuss potential solutions, from stricter gun control policies to addressing the mental health crisis and community fragmentation that may contribute to such violence. Nadia references Australia's swift policy changes after a mass shooting decades ago, noting that while a recent shooting occurred there, it was the first in many years—proof that legislation can make a difference, even if it's not 100% effective.

The episode concludes with expressions of grief for the Brown University community, for all 389 mass shooting victims in the year so far, and for a generation forced to live in a constant state of alertness. Both hosts commit to continuing advocacy for change, refusing to accept this violence as inevitable.

Takeaways

• Students today have practiced active shooter drills as routinely as fire drills since elementary school, normalizing preparation for violence
• Sandy Hook Elementary (13 years ago) was a formative event for many in Nadia's generation, marking the beginning of childhood awareness about mass shootings
• In 2025, there have been 389 mass shootings—more shootings than days in the year
• The constant threat of gun violence creates a persistent state of anxiety, affecting mental health and community engagement
• Australia's stricter gun control policies after a mass shooting decades ago have significantly reduced such incidents, demonstrating that legislative action can be effective
• The tragedy affects not just direct victims but entire communities, with ripple effects reaching people who know someone connected to each event
• Desensitization to mass shootings is a coping mechanism, making it easier to move on but harder to maintain the outrage needed for change
• Focusing on advocacy and supporting affected communities is essential, even when systemic change feels impossible

Chapters

0:10–0:27 – Content Warning: Discussion of Gun Violence

0:27–0:59 – Introduction: From Positive Finale to Tragedy

1:09-1:42 – A Generation Defined by Fear

1:42–2:45 – Nadia's Experience with Active Shooter Drills

2:45–3:55 – Sandy Hook: The Beginning of Awareness

3:55–6:07 – Preparation as Acceptance: The Cruel Irony

6:07–7:27 – Living with Constant Threat

7:27–9:19 – 389 Shootings This Year: The Frustration of Inaction

9:19–10:08 – Community Fragmentation and Collective Fear

10:08–11:19 – Political Division and the Impossibility of Unity

11:19–12:21 – Learning from Australia's Response

12:21–13:26 – Hate Crimes and Targeted Violence

13:26–14:48 – Desensitization and the Friend at Brown

14:48–16:15 – If Sandy Hook Wasn't Enough, What Will Be

16:15–17:15 – Swimming in It: Not Knowing Any Other Reality

17:15–18:09 – Hope for Future Generations

18:09–19:35 – Final Thoughts: Apologies and Anger