Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult

Home Safety for Grown-Ups 09.06.2026 36m

Your home is supposed to be your safe place, but beware that many of the biggest safety risks are hiding in plain sight. In this episode of Grown Up Stuff, Matt and Lea sit down with home inspector and safety expert Joe Mazza, who you might know from his HGTV shows. He talks about the risks most of us don't think about until something goes wrong. From smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to electrical hazards, radon, fire prevention, and emergency planning, Joe helps separate the truly important safety upgrades from the don't-waste-your-money ones. Whether you're moving into your first apartment, buying a house, raising a family, or just trying to keep the place from falling apart, this episode is full of practical advice you can actually use. You'll learn the most common safety mistakes people make, what every home should have, and the simple steps that can make your home safer without breaking the bank. Because being a grown-up means realizing that home safety is a lot more than remembering to lock the front door.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grown-Up Stuff: How To Adult Season 4 02.06.2026 1m

Growing up doesn’t come with instructions, so we made a podcast about figuring it out together. Season 4 of Grown Up Stuff tackles the life skills, decisions, and responsibilities that suddenly become very real in adulthood. From bringing home a newborn for the first time to navigating international travel, buying the right smoke detectors, moving apartments, understanding investing, and protecting your finances, this season is all about the stuff nobody fully prepares you for. Hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo talk with experts, professionals, and people who’ve learned things the hard way to break down the practical side of adult life without making it feel overwhelming. Along the way, they explore everything from home safety hidden dangers and jet lag survival to budgeting, relationships, parenting anxiety, and how to actually feel financially confident in your 20s and 30s. Whether you’re trying to baby-proof your house, figure out a Roth IRA, survive a cross-country move, or simply feel a little less behind in life, Grown Up Stuff is here to help. Because nobody totally knows what they’re doing...some people are just better at Googling it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grown-Up Stuff: Essentials Edition 28.10.2025 37m

From breaking up with your phone to breaking into better habits, our back-half S3 recap episode brings together the most practical, powerful, and personal moments from recent episodes of Grown-Up Stuff. Hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo revisit highlights on phone addiction, advocating for yourself at work, nutrition, sober curiosity, meditation, and life insurance—all the stuff that makes adulting a little more manageable (and a lot more meaningful). Whether you're catching up or just need a refresher, this episode is your one-stop-shop for grown-up wisdom, minus the overwhelm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Life Insurance for Grown-Ups 14.10.2025 38m

You’ve heard of life insurance, but do you know what it actually is? And do you really need it? Hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo are joined by Life Insurance Advisor Dennis Carlson who explains the purpose of life insurance, how you can find the best agent and policy for you, and so much more.  You can connect with Dennis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denniscarlson/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meditation for Grown-Ups 30.09.2025 37m

You might not think it’s for you, but it turns out meditation is for everyone! This week hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo are joined by Kessonga Giscombe, a mindfulness and meditation teacher. He explains the very simple ways we all can incorporate meditation into our days, what it actually does to help your physical and mental body, and how it’s even changing lives in elementary schools.  You and follow Kessonga and reach out to him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kessongagiscombe/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Becoming Sober Curious for Grown-Ups 16.09.2025 37m

Is drinking just not giving you the same buzz as before? When it comes to alcohol, are you thinking about cutting back, or cutting out entirely? We’ll you’re not alone, and hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo are here to help you navigate being sober curious. We’re breaking down what it means to explore mindful drinking, the steps you can take to incorporate this into your lifestyle, and the benefits to your mind, body, and wallet.    Our guest this week is Derek Brown, a hospitality consultant, a wellness coach, mindful drinking advocate, and the author of the National Academy of Sports Medicine Mindful Drinking Course, as well as two cocktail books, "Spirit Sugar Water Bitters: How the Cocktail Conquered the World" and "Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive Guide to No and Low Alcohol Cocktails". Also check out mindfulfrinkingfest.com. (Smoky) Ginger Old Fashioned Recipe Yield: One Serving/12-14 oz. Double Rocks Glass Ingredients: 2 ¼ oz. Kentucky 74 or Lapsang Souchong Tea ¼ oz. Ginger Syrup (purchase or use recipe below) 3 Dashes All the Bitters Aromatic Bitters Citrus Peel, lemon, or orange both work Instructions: Combine in a double rocks glass and add ice. Stir until chilled.   Ginger Syrup Ingredients: 2 tbsp. Grated ginger root (with skin)* 1 cup water 1 cup white sugar Dash lemon juice (Optional: a few dashes of ginger juice**) Instructions: Boil sugar and water until sugar granules dissolve. Remove from heat and add grated ginger. Allow to cool. Add lemon juice and strain.   *Pro-tip: Freeze the ginger root for easier grating. **For an extra kick, add some fresh ginger juice before straining.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nutrition for Grown-Ups 02.09.2025 44m

We all know about eating fruits and vegetables, right? But what about fiber and protein and other vitamins we need? Registered Dietician Nutritionist Melissa Joy Dobbins joins hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo for a conversation about how we can eat healthier and feel better, just with a little bit of mindfulness. You can check out her free “Do More with Dinner” resource at www.SoundBitesRD.com as well as information about Melissa’s favorite cookbooks, kitchen gadgets, supplements and episodes of her podcast, “Sound Bites.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advocating At Work for Grown-Ups 19.08.2025 48m

How do I negotiate for more money? How do I speak up for better opportunities? How do I advance in my career if I’m an introvert? If you’re wondering how to advocate for yourself at work, hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo spoke with Jessica Chen, a speaker, communications expert and author of the book, “Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for all the Right Reasons.” She offers tons of tips for communicating in meetings, over email, and even via body language, and how you can not only navigate but get ahead in the corporate world at any stage of your career. For more from Jessica, check out her podcast, Communicating Confidently.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minimizing Screen Time for Grown-Ups 05.08.2025 45m

We’re all addicted to our phones — but it turns out it’s not our fault! Author, journalist, and speaker Catherine Price joins hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo to walk us through why we’re so glued to our social media accounts, and what we can do to slowly put down the smartphone and get more out of life. From tips about nixing those notifications to taking up non-phone hobbies, we’ll have you relying on your phone less and less by the minute with this episode. You can read more about Catherine’s plan to get us off our phones and out into the world in her book, “How to Break Up With Your Phone: The 30-Day Plan to Take Back Your Life”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Favorite Grown-Up Moments from Season 3 13.05.2025 40m

Taxes, Voting, Recycling—oh my! After navigating this jungle of grown-up responsibilities together, we're taking a quick summer breather to recharge our adulting batteries. But before we temporarily hang up our responsible pants, join us for this special episode packed with our favorite kernels of wisdom from the season so far AND get an exclusive preview of the fresh adulting adventures awaiting you when Grown-Up Stuff returns in late summer! Think of this episode as your adulting victory lap—complete with confetti and zero paperwork required!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recycling for Grown-Ups 29.04.2025 43m

In honor of Earth Month, this episode of Grown-Up Stuff celebrates all things recycling with guest Kara Napolitano, the Education and Outreach Manager at Circular Services. Hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo learn about all the ways (and items) we can reduce, reuse, and recycle in our everyday lives, and the impact it has on our local and global communities. For more information you can check out CircularServices.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram @BalconesBK, and check your local municipalities to learn more about recycling in your area.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Car Maintenance with Shell Pennzoil for Grown-Ups 15.04.2025 29m

You know you need to get your oil changed… but what even happens during that process? Sean Nguyen, a Pennzoil Lubricant Technical Specialist at Shell Lubricant, stopped by Grown-Up Stuff to tell hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo all about why your car needs an oil change, and how to ensure you’re taking the best care of your vehicle to get the maximum miles out of it while staying safe on the road.   To learn more, visit: pennzoil.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voting for Grown-Ups 01.04.2025 45m

Voting is an incredibly important part of being an American — not just every four years, and not just for the sticker! In this episode of Grown-Up Stuff, hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo speak with Joshua A. Douglas, a professor of law at the University of Kentucky, as well as an author and podcaster, who explains the way voting works in the US, from the polling booth to the country’s capitol, and what we can do as citizens to ensure we’re getting involved and staying involved in democracy for all.   To learn more about Josh, visit https://joshuaadouglas.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Morning Routine for Grown-Ups 18.03.2025 43m

Can you turn yourself into a morning person? With the help of author and podcaster Laura Vanderkam, you sure can! Hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo speak with the author of “What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: A Short Guide to Making Over Your Mornings--and Life” and host of the “Before Breakfast” podcast to find out why your morning routine starts long before that dreaded alarm goes off, and the small changes you can make to have a big impact on your day, right when its getting started. For more information, visit https://lauravanderkam.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taxes for Grown-Up Small Business Owners 07.03.2025 29m

Did you know there are over 33 million small business owners in the US? If you’re one of them, or considering becoming one, we’re breaking down the basics of filing small business taxes with TurboTax spokesperson and CPA, Lisa Greene-Lewis. You can almost hear it clicking for hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo as Lisa walks us through all we need to know about the different types of small businesses, the deductions you need to know, and much more. Learn more about TurboTax Business support at TurboTax.com/BusinessSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taxes for Grown-Ups 04.03.2025 44m

Happy Tax Season! We’re celebrating Season 3 of Grown-Up Stuff by filling you in on how to file your taxes. Hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo speak with Rus Garofalo of Brass Taxes about how you can save time, money, and your sanity as you tackle your taxes this year. From basic tax terms to loopholes and laws, Rus explains it all to have you feeling confident about your cash this year.  For more information, visit BrassTaxes.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult” is Back for Season Three! 25.02.2025 1m

It’s hard to be a human, especially a grown-up one. But we’re here to make it a little bit easier, and also fun! Hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo bring you “Grown-Up Stuff” Season 3, where we’ll tackle taxes, make over your morning routine, and get your engines revving for the ultimate way to take care of your car. Your favorite podcast about the adventures of adulthood is back and here to help you be the best human you can be!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cooking for Grown-Ups 13.08.2024 48m

We’ve been watching a lot of “The Bear” and are inspired to create all the delicious and mind-blowing meals. . . . but first, we must learn to chop before we sauteé. It’s the Season Two finale, and Molly and Matt are hitting the kitchen with a special guest, the James Beard award-winning J. Kenji López Alt. Yes, chef! Learn which cooking tools are must-haves, the best ways to defrost meat, and the most common mistakes made in the kitchen. We’re going to help you foster a love for cooking, even if you’re a takeout stan. Cited Sources: “28% of Americans Can't Cook” - Tufts University, Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy - Health & Nutrition Letter “How Eating Out Contributes to Our Diets” - NESTA “2023 Report: Shifting Consumer Eating Habits and Grocery Shopping Habits” - National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the “Grown-Up Stuff” Archive 02.07.2024 26m

Hello Grown-ups! We’re taking a quick summer break before our season two finale, but while we’re gone we wanted to reshare one of our favorite episodes from Season 1 of “Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult.” It’s a great companion episode to our previous episode about budgeting. So sit back, grill up some hot dogs, watch the fireworks and revisit planning and saving for retirement with our guest, CPA and Asset and Wealth Management Assurance Senior Manager, Jonah Batista from Episode 1 of Season 1 of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budgeting and Financial Awareness for Grown Ups 18.06.2024 48m

Money can be such a stressful topic, and many of us can feel like we’re always playing catch-up when it comes to our personal finances. Your income never feels substantial enough to get ahead, and budgeting feels intimidating and intense. With the help of special guests Jannese Torres (“Yo Quiero Dinero” podcast and author of “Financially Lit!”) and Austin Hankwitz (“Rich Habits” podcast and “Rate of Return” Newsletter), Matt and Molly try to make money a little less scary and lean into the importance of financial awareness and tracking. Learn tips for building a budget and discover which accounts will help you grow your money. Now if only Molly could stop sweating when she looks at a spreadsheet. Do you have a topic or question you want to learn about on the podcast? Send us a note or voice memo to GrownUpStuffPod@gmail.com and we may feature your message on an upcoming episode. Cited Sources: “Survey: The average American feels they’d need over $200K a year to be financially comfortable” - Bankrate “Income in the United States: 2022” - US Census Bureau “Bankrate’s 2024 annual emergency savings report” - Bankrate “Lifestyle Creep: How To Avoid the Trap and Save More” - MarketWatch “82% of Americans don’t use this kind of savings account that earns over 5% a year — here’s how much money you may be missing out on” - CNBC Select “American Savings By Generation: How Balances And Goals Vary By Age” - Forbes Advisor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.