In this episode of "Trial & Error & Error," we dive deep into the age-old tradition of New Year's resolutions. 🎉 Why do we set them? Why do we fail at keeping them? And more importantly, how can we actually make them stick? 💪

Join us as we explore the fascinating history of New Year's resolutions, from ancient Babylonian promises to the gods to modern-day gym memberships. We'll unpack the psychology behind the "fresh start effect" and discuss why temporal landmarks make us feel like we can finally get our lives together. ✨

We'll also get personal, sharing our own resolutions from 2025 and revealing what we're committing to in 2026. 📋 From finishing PhDs 🎓 to mastering pull-ups 💪, from improving finance literacy 💰 to simply being more present 🧘‍♀️—we're covering it all.

Finally, we'll share practical, tried-and-tested tips for setting realistic and achievable goals that actually align with what YOU want for your life (not what society expects from you). 🌟 Because let's be honest—the best time to start becoming your best self isn't January 1st. It's right now. ⏰

Tune in for honest reflections, research-backed insights, and a healthy dose of motivation to seize the moment and make 2026 your year! 🚀

Follow Us:

• Instagram: @tee.podcast
• New episodes every Wednesday on your favorite podcast platform 🎧

Research & Articles:

• The Fresh Start Effect: Temporal Landmarks Motivate Aspirational Behavior – Management Science journal article on how temporal milestones influence motivation and goal-setting behavior

Books Mentioned:

• Atomic Habits by James Clear – Referenced for the "make it obvious" principle and habit formation strategies

Quotes & Concepts:

• "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with" – Motivational concept popularized by Jim Rohn

Ring in the new year with us as we explore the wildest, weirdest, and most wonderful New Year's traditions from around the globe! From eating twelve grapes at midnight in Spain 🍇 to throwing plates at friends' doors in Denmark 🍽️💥, from jumping waves in Brazil 🌊 to getting booped by an onion in Greece 🧅 — this episode is packed with fascinating rituals that prove humanity knows how to celebrate.

But it's not just about the quirks. We dive deep into the why behind these traditions — exploring the anthropology, psychology, and emotional significance of New Year's celebrations. Why do we love a fresh start? What makes midnight so magical? And are resolutions even worth it anymore?

Join us for laughs, reflection, and maybe some inspiration for your own New Year's ritual. Whether you're a grape-eater, a chair-jumper, or a couch-prosecco-sipper, this episode will remind you that every tradition — no matter how strange — is really just an act of hope. 💫

Perfect for: Culture lovers 🌍, trivia enthusiasts 🤓, anyone who wants to feel globally connected as they countdown to midnight ⏰.

What you'll learn:

• Unique New Year's traditions from over 15 countries 🗺️
• The anthropology and psychology behind ritual celebrations 📚
• Why humans love symbolic fresh starts 🔄
• Fun lightning-round questions to spark your own reflection ⚡

Tune in, tag us with your traditions, and let's leap into the new year together 🎆 — same vibes, new intentions. 🎧💜

• Marking the New Year Around the World – Human Relations Area Files (Yale)
• Cosmological Renewal: An Anthropological Analysis of New Year Celebrations in the Andes as a Rite of Passage – ResearchGate
• Five New Year’s Rituals of Renewal – Sapiens.org
• New Year’s Traditions Around the World – EBSCO Research Starters

• “Unusual New Year Traditions” – Leonardo English Podcast
• “New Year Traditions & Celebrations Around the World #148” – LearnAboutPod
• “Folklore Friday: New Year’s Eve History” – Podbean
• “20 Strange New Year’s Traditions From Around the World” – YouTube

• Travel.Earth – 10 Unusual New Year’s Eve Traditions
• AFAR Magazine – 14 New Year’s Traditions From Around the World
• Oxford Summer Courses Blog – New Year’s Eve Traditions Around the World
• Greenvelope.com – New Year’s Traditions

Christmas as an adult hits different. The magic is still there, but so is the stress, the spending, the family negotiations, and that nagging voice asking, "Did I do enough this year?"

In this episode of Trial & Error & Error, we're unwrapping the complicated reality of Christmas in adulthood. From the financial pressure of gift-giving to navigating family traditions across cultures and relationships, we're getting real about what makes the holidays both wonderful and overwhelming.

We discuss:

• ✨ How Christmas changes when you become the one organizing it
• 💸 The biggest holiday stressors (spoiler: money and expectations top the list)
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Juggling partner families and building your own traditions
• 🍷 Food, drink, and letting go of holiday guilt
• 📆 The end-of-year review spiral and how to survive it

Whether you're dreading December or desperately trying to keep the festive spirit alive, this episode is your survival guide to enjoying the holidays without losing your mind — or your bank account.

Tune in for honest conversations, practical tips, and a reminder that you're not alone in finding Christmas both magical and exhausting.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday.

Follow us on Instagram (@tee.podcast) and share your holiday survival stories — we want to hear from you!

Articles & Studies:

• American Psychological Association (2023) - Holiday Stress Survey: https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2023/holiday-stress

Additional Resources:

• Tips for managing holiday stress and maintaining healthy eating habits during the festive season
• Strategies for budgeting and financial planning during Christmas
• Mindfulness and self-care practices for the holiday period

🎙️ It's time for the ultimate yearly wrap-up! In this reflective episode of "Trial & Error & Error," we're diving deep into the 12 Areas of Life framework by Zig Ziglar to look back on everything 2025 threw at us — the wins, the losses, the plot twists, and the glow-ups.

From physical health and mental wellness to love, career, finances, creativity, and community, we're breaking down each area with honest reflections, personal stories, and the kind of sisterly banter that keeps it real. We're rating our year, sharing what we learned, and declaring our energy for 2026.

Whether you're looking to reflect on your own year or just want to eavesdrop on our chaos, this episode is your permission slip to pause, process, and prep for your next chapter. Because life isn't about perfection — it's about growth, one messy, beautiful moment at a time.

✨ Topics we cover:

• Physical & mental health check-ins
• Love life updates and lessons
• Family, friendships, and boundaries
• Career wins and financial mindset shifts
• Personal growth, creativity, and spirituality
• Our 2026 energy declarations

Grab your journal, your favorite drink, and join us for this cozy, cathartic conversation. Let's close out the year with clarity, gratitude, and a whole lot of main-character energy.

💬 Connect with us on Instagram @tee.podcast and share your own yearly reflections — we'd love to hear from you!

Summary

Feel like time is slipping through your fingers? In this episode of "Trial & Error & Error," we dive into the paradox of being busy but not productive. Discover how to identify your "time villains" — those sneaky habits stealing your hours — and meet your "time heroes" that actually save you time. We explore the science behind effective time management, share practical micro-experiments you can try today, and introduce a fresh perspective: treating time like a messy best friend you need to learn to work with, not control. Join us for the 7-Day Time Experiment and learn to align your schedule with your values, energy cycles, and real priorities. Stop chasing time and start dancing with it.

Takeaways

• Awareness is the first step: Conduct a time audit to track what you actually do for one day — you'll discover where your hours really go and identify your time villains.
• Align your schedule with your values: Time management works best when your calendar reflects your actual goals and priorities, not just other people's demands.
• Set boundaries to protect your time: If you don't guard your time, someone else will fill it for you. Be selective about what gets access to your schedule.
• Work with your natural rhythms: Align tasks with your energy cycles — do creative work when you're energized, and routine tasks when your energy is lower.
• Try the 7-Day Time Experiment: Track your time, identify one villain, test one change for a week, and reflect on whether it made you feel freer or more constrained.
• Time management is self-care: Research shows that regularly evaluating your priorities reduces anxiety and improves life satisfaction.
• Productivity isn't about doing more: It's about doing the right things efficiently. Focus on quality over quantity.
• Personify time as a character: Instead of trying to "manage" time, become fluent in its language — learn to dance with it rather than chase it.

Resources:

• Aeon, B. & Aguinis, H. (2020). Does time management work? A meta-analysis. PLoS One, via PMC7799745
• Aeon, B. et al. (2024). Time Management Interventions and Well-being. Frontiers in Psychology, via PMC10927119
• T Mountain (C1042). 10 Strategies for Better Time Management - https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C1042/time-management-10-strategies-for-better-time-management/
• Marquette University (2021). Effective Time Management for Students and Professionals - https://today.marquette.edu/2024/09/on-topic-eight-tips-on-improving-time-management/
• Efron, N. (2023). Ten tips for efficient academic time management. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 106(7), 691–693. https://doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2022.2139592
• YouTubers: Ali Abdaal, Thomas Frank
• Podcasts: It’s About Time (Anna Dearmon Kornick), The Time Management Podcast (Abigail Barnes).

Summary

In this episode of the Trial and Error Podcast, Ale and LJ explore the multifaceted experience of pet ownership, discussing the emotional connections formed with pets, the benefits and challenges of having them, and the grief associated with losing a beloved animal. They delve into the responsibilities that come with pet ownership, including financial considerations and the emotional readiness required to care for another being. The conversation highlights the joys and struggles of being a pet owner, making it clear that while pets bring immense joy, they also require significant commitment and care.

Takeaways

• People are increasingly choosing pets over children.
• Having a pet can provide emotional support and companionship.
• Pets can help reduce feelings of loneliness and improve mood.
• Owning a pet instills a sense of responsibility and routine.
• Taking care of a pet can create a sense of accomplishment.
• Pets can facilitate social interactions and connections.
• The grief of losing a pet is often overlooked and misunderstood.
• Adopting a pet, especially a rescue, comes with unique challenges.
• Financial stability is crucial before getting a pet.
• Being emotionally ready for the commitment of a pet is essential.

Resources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3872511/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbBMVa2A68s

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772632023000028

https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-018-1613-2

https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/health-benefits-of-pets-how-your-furry-friend-improves-your-mental-and-physical-health/2024/04

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1261022

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11776356/

https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.1079/hai.2020.0017

https://www.youtube.com/@TierZoo

Summary

In this episode, the hosts explore the complexities of non-confrontational confrontation, discussing its definitions, psychological aspects, personal experiences, and the impact of passive-aggressive behavior. They share insights on how to approach confrontation in a healthier way, emphasizing the importance of direct communication and the potential for strengthening relationships through constructive conflict resolution.

Takeaways

Confrontation can be non-aggressive and still effective. Passive-aggressive behavior often leads to misunderstandings. Avoiding confrontation can weaken relationships over time. Direct communication is essential for resolving conflicts. Humor can sometimes lighten the tension in confrontations. Setting clear goals for confrontation can lead to better outcomes. Taking time to process emotions before confronting is beneficial. Confrontation can strengthen relationships if handled well. Yelling is not the only way to confront issues. Understanding the psychology behind avoidance can help address it.

Resources:

https://cmcffc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Confrontation-in-Addiction-Treatment.pdf

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13684302241309872?casa_token=9XrJU4JaFpAAAAAA%3AOcsK2dc-tq0CyBTd9FUN4js-QDzOrkjTZ2PoNpQq_3GHTMo-gmKSOr8HRJ4L43jA185ngoFP1FFkHQ

https://www.wondermind.com/article/confrontation/

Summary

In this episode of the Trial and Error Podcast, the hosts explore the phenomenon of 'therapy speak'—the rise of psychological language in everyday conversations, especially post-COVID. They discuss how terms like 'boundaries', 'toxic', and 'narcissist' have become commonplace, often losing their original meaning. The conversation delves into the potential misuse of these terms, particularly in weaponizing therapy language to control or silence others. The hosts emphasize the importance of self-awareness and responsible communication, urging listeners to reflect on their use of therapy language and its impact on relationships.

Takeaways

• Therapy speak has become mainstream since COVID.
• Terms like 'boundaries' and 'toxic' can lose meaning when overused.
• Weaponizing therapy language can harm relationships.
• Real connection requires vulnerability, not just buzzwords.
• Social media amplifies the use of therapy terms.
• Misusing mental health terms can minimize real issues.
• Understanding toxicity requires context and self-reflection.
• Therapy language should facilitate understanding, not arguments.
• Self-awareness is key in using therapy speak responsibly.
• Therapy is about personal growth, not just self-indulgence.

Resources:

‘That’s triggering!’ Is therapy-speak changing the way we talk about ourselves?

When ‘Therapy Speak’ Does More Harm Than Good

The Rise of Therapy-Speak