Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult

Epizodes

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  Investing for Grown-Ups 04.08.2026 46min

  Investing can feel like one of those grown-up things everyone else understands, but the truth is, most people are figuring it out as they go. In this episode of Grown-Up Stuff, Matt and Lea are joined by Haley Sachs, Financial Expert, host of Financial Tea podcast and NYT bestselling author of Future Rich Person, to break down the basics of investing in plain English. Together, they cover everything from emergency funds and retirement accounts to index funds, ETFs, compound interest, and why trying to time the market usually does more harm than good. Haley shares practical advice for first-time investors, explains why financial confidence comes from taking action and not waiting until you feel ready. She covers simple strategies to build wealth over time without making investing your full-time hobby. Whether you're opening your first brokerage account or finally trying to understand what all those investing terms actually mean, this episode will help you tune out the noise, avoid common mistakes, and take the first step toward making your money work for you. Because being a grown-up who is financially literate doesn't mean predicting the stock market. It means having a plan and sticking with it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Moving for Grown-Ups 21.07.2026 29min

  Moving sounds exciting... until you remember you actually have to move. Between surprise utility setup fees, security deposits, Wi-Fi appointments that never seem to happen on time, and somehow ending up with a dozen boxes labeled "miscellaneous," moving can quickly become one of life's most stressful experiences. So how do you make it a little easier and a lot less expensive? This week, Matt and Lea are joined by realtor Dag Larson for the ultimate moving guide. They cover the hidden costs most people forget to budget for, whether hiring movers is really worth it, what should never go on the moving truck, and why your first-night box might be the most important box you pack. Plus, learn how to avoid common moving mistakes, set up utilities without headaches, make your new place feel like home, and discover the simple home and neighborhood safety checks everyone should do during their first week. Whether you're moving into your first apartment, upgrading to a new home, or relocating across the country, this episode is packed with practical tips to help your next move go more smoothly and maybe even save you a little money (and your sanity) along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  International Travel for Grown-Ups 07.07.2026 35min

  International travel is magical... until you're standing in the airport realizing your passport expires next month, your phone doesn't work, and you have no idea whether you should pay in dollars or the local currency. This week on Grown Up Stuff, Matt and Lea are joined by full-time traveler Jordan Tually to answer all the questions you don't think to ask until it's way too late. They cover passports and visas, travel insurance that's actually worth buying, eSIMs, currency exchange, packing smarter (yes, you can probably leave half your clothes at home), avoiding common travel mistakes, the tricks that can help you beat jet lag, and most importantly, how not to get banned from traveling in the Schengen Area. Whether you're planning your first trip abroad or just hoping this is the vacation where nothing goes sideways, consider this your ultimate guide to traveling a little smarter and a lot less stressed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Laid Off Grown-Ups 23.06.2026 40min

  Getting laid off is one of those life events that can really throw you for a loop. It can leave you feeling blindsided, stressed, and wondering what you're supposed to do next. In this episode of Grown Up Stuff: How to Adult, Matt and Lea sit down with employment attorney Paige Sparks to answer all the questions that start racing through your head after a job loss: Do I get severance? Can I collect unemployment? What happens to my health insurance? And how do I know if my employer crossed a legal line? Paige walks us through the practical stuff every adult should know, including severance agreements, COBRA, unemployment benefits, PTO payouts, and what to do with your 401(k). We also talk about the emotional side of being laid off: how to deal with the shock, avoid spiraling, stay motivated during a job search, and talk about your layoff in future interviews without feeling awkward or ashamed. Whether you've just been laid off, you're worried it could happen, or you simply want to be prepared for one of life's less-fun surprises, this episode is packed with straightforward advice to help you protect yourself, make a plan, and move forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Home Safety for Grown-Ups 09.06.2026 36min

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

  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.
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  Grown-Up Stuff: Essentials Edition 28.10.2025 37min

  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.
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  Life Insurance for Grown-Ups 14.10.2025 38min

  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.
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  Meditation for Grown-Ups 30.09.2025 37min

  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.
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  Becoming Sober Curious for Grown-Ups 16.09.2025 37min

  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.
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  Nutrition for Grown-Ups 02.09.2025 44min

  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.
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  Advocating At Work for Grown-Ups 19.08.2025 48min

  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.
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  Minimizing Screen Time for Grown-Ups 05.08.2025 45min

  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.
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  Favorite Grown-Up Moments from Season 3 13.05.2025 40min

  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.
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  Recycling for Grown-Ups 29.04.2025 43min

  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.
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  Car Maintenance with Shell Pennzoil for Grown-Ups 15.04.2025 29min

  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.
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  Voting for Grown-Ups 01.04.2025 45min

  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.
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  Morning Routine for Grown-Ups 18.03.2025 43min

  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.
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  Taxes for Grown-Up Small Business Owners 07.03.2025 29min

  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.
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  Taxes for Grown-Ups 04.03.2025 44min

  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.