It's a Lot

Emily Hessney Lynch

It's a Lot is a podcast about things that are a lot. We dive deep on social media, parenthood, and beyond—things that can be maddening, all-consuming, and also weird and wonderful. Tune in for honest conversations with parents, social media experts, authors, content creators, and more. We aim to explore hard topics with openness and nuance, while also finding the humor along the way. New episodes drop every other Tuesday. Hosted by Emily Hessney Lynch; find her at @servemethesky on Instagram or at www.servemethesky.com. Our logo was created by Tim Lynch of Tenderchomps Art. We are a proud member of the Lunchador Podcast Network in Rochester, NY.

  1. 28 APR

    The Suspense of Raising Kids (with Hayley DeRoche)

    Content warning: This episode contains discussion of losing a loved one to suicide. There are no graphic details, but we do talk about grief at length in the second half of the show. Please take care while listening. Content creator, librarian, comedian, and mom Hayley DeRoche (they/she), the creator of the viral 'Sad Beige' phenomenon, joins host Emily Hessney Lynch for a conversation about algorithms, having boundaries as an influencer, staying true to yourself creatively, her détournement poetry, and why they stay on social media despite the downsides. In the second half of the show, we dive into Hayley's experiences fostering and later adopting a child, navigating transracial adoption, parenting through grief, and how freeing it is when your kids get old enough that you don't have to watch their every move. We also talk about the excitement of not knowing who your kid will become and the joy of watching them grow up. Links: Hayley's book, Dress Your Baby in Sage and Taupe: A Handbook for the Sad Beige Parent, is out now! Grab a copy at your favorite indie bookstore or request it from your local library.For more of Hayley's work, follow them on TikTok or Instagram, or check out her website.Emily's website & Instagram. To support the show, leave us a one-time (or recurring!) tip. We'll send you a sticker to say thanks! We're a proud member of the Lunchador Podcast Network. Our logo is by Tenderchomps Art. Mentioned in this episode: Joe Bean Roasters Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!

    48 min

  2. 14 APR

    Reminiscing About Dear America: Titanic (with Ella Dawson)

    If you read and loved the Dear America books as a tween in the late 90s/early 2000s, then this episode is for you! Author Ella Dawson joins host Emily Hessney Lynch for a fun conversation about everyone's favorite Dear America book, Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady, by Ellen Emerson White, which came out in 1998. We discuss what held up well in our reread, whether or not the book is historically accurate, how little details bring a story to life, publishers' depressing cost-cutting measures, how Dear America compares to the I Survived series, how much a first-class Titanic ticket would cost in 2026, and what current events would make great Dear America books today. You'll even learn where the idea of a passenger surviving the Titanic on a floating door comes from (spoiler alert: it wasn't a white person floating on the door!). Links: We discuss several book covers in the episode. Here are the images for each of the Dear America: Titanic versions: 1998 original cover; 2010 reissue cover; 2026 reissue cover. We also discuss the I Survived covers, including the novel version and the graphic novel adaptation.Titanic Sinks Tonight is the BBC mini series Ella recommended.Listen to Ella's previous appearance on It's a Lot, "Capitalism Ruins Everything"Check out Ella's debut novel, But How Are You, Really in hardcover or ebookFor more of Ella and her work, find her on Instagram or Patreon, and listen to her podcast Rebel Ever AfterFollow Emily on Instagram and check out her business, Serve Me the Sky Digital, if you need a social media strategist, speaker, or writer! Books mentioned in the episode: Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady (Dear America) by Ellen Emerson WhiteMarie Antoinette: Princess of Versailles, Austria-France, 1769 (The Royal Diaries) by Kathryn Lasky (please excuse the yaasified cover)I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 by Lauren TarshisI Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912: A Graphic Novel by Lauren Tarshis, illustrated by Haus Haus Studio and adapted by Georgia BallThe Correspondent by Virginia Evans (recommended by Amanda, a children's librarian in Illinois, for those who enjoyed the epistolary format of Dear America). If what you loved is the immersive nature of Dear America, Amanda also recommends checking out more historical fiction as it can be richly detailed! And if you loved learning about different time periods, she recommends exploring more narrative nonfiction.The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower (recommended by Lauren, a youth librarian in Upstate NY). If you loved Dear America and the Royal Diaries books, she also recommends historical romance as it's deeply researched and focused on women's interests. Some of her favorite historical romance authors are Alexandra Vasti, Sarah MacLean, and Evie Dunmore. Lauren also notes that historical fiction by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Kristin Hannah are worth checking out too!Across the Living Infinite: A Queer Romance Aboard the RMS Titanic by Logan Sage Adams is out on April 15, 2026 and Ella is very much looking forward to reading it! To support the show, leave us a one-time (or recurring!) tip. We'll send you a sticker to say thanks! We're a proud member of the Lunchador Podcast Network. Our logo is by Tenderchomps Art. Mentioned in this episode: Joe Bean Roasters Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!

    56 min

  3. 31 MAR

    Should We Sympathize with Mom Influencers? (with Fortesa Latifi)

    Journalist and toddler mom Fortesa Latifi joins host Emily Hessney Lynch for a conversation about why we need more nuance in our conversations about mom influencers. In the first half of the show, we discuss how influential influencers truly are (and how much money is involved in the industry), how many mom influencers come from vulnerable backgrounds, and where Fortesa personally draws the line when it comes to the ethics of consuming content featuring kids. We also talk about her writing process for her new book, Like, Follow, Subscribe: Influencer Kids and the Cost of a Childhood Online, exploring the research process, finding sources, challenging revisions, and more. In the second half of the show, we explore Fortesa's own experiences with pregnancy (spoiler alert: not everyone experiences the ~pregnancy glow~. Sometimes pregnancy just sucks!) and motherhood so far. We bond over quitting therapy after becoming moms, the crushing weight of the mental load, and the joys of slowing down to experience the world through a toddler's eyes. Links: Fortesa's book, Like, Follow, Subscribe: Influencer Kids and the Cost of a Childhood Online, is out on April 7th!Fortesa's story on TV moms and their unorthodox screentime approachFor more of Fortesa's work, check out her website or follow her on Instagram or TikTok. Emily's website & Instagram. To support the show, leave us a one-time (or recurring!) tip. We'll send you a sticker to say thanks! We're a proud member of the Lunchador Podcast Network. Our logo is by Tenderchomps Art. Mentioned in this episode: Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that Lifts Everyone Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com Behind the Glass Behind the Glass Gallery podcast is a monthly talk with the current month's BTG Roster. Artists are interviewed about their submissions and we dive deep into their process, inspiration and thought process centralized around their artwork in the Behind the Glass Gallery located in the heart of Downtown Rochester NY. Getting Real with Bossy: For Women Who Own Business Check out Getting Real with Bossy: For Women Who Own Business on Lunchador! https://feeds.captivate.fm/gettingrealwithbossy/

    54 min

  4. 17 MAR

    Quitting Law School to Eat Cupcakes with Martha Stewart (with Rachel Kramer Bussel)

    Content warning: This episode contains a mention of miscarriage that is described in some detail. Please take care when listening; if you'd like to avoid that part, it starts around 41:15 and ends by 42:10. When Rachel Kramer Bussel took a break from law school, she started trying different things. She worked as an admin assistant, wrote erotica on the side, and started a cupcake blog that landed her on The Martha Stewart Show. Her one year leave of absence turned into leaving law forever, but that pivot led Rachel exactly where she was supposed to be. Now, she is a successful writer, editor, consultant, and teacher. We discuss her decision to move away from writing erotica later in life, her enthusiasm for Open Secrets Magazine and sharing other people's stories, and why she's launching a podcast about our attachments to our belongings called Finders and Keepers. In the second half of the show, we talk about the latest chapter in Rachel's life: motherhood! In 2024, she and her partner adopted a baby. She shares what the adoption process looked like for them, how she felt meeting her daughter for the first time, the predatory Instagram ads targeted at moms, and lots more. Links: Open Secrets Live Personal Storytelling Summit - May 2, 2026 at Symphony Space in NYCOpen Secrets MagazineRachel's new podcast, Finders & KeepersFor more of Rachel and her work, check out her Instagram or website.Emily's website & Instagram. To support the show, leave us a one-time (or recurring!) tip. We'll send you a sticker to say thanks! We're a proud member of the Lunchador Podcast Network. Our logo is by Tenderchomps Art. Mentioned in this episode: Getting Real with Bossy: For Women Who Own Business Check out Getting Real with Bossy: For Women Who Own Business on Lunchador! https://feeds.captivate.fm/gettingrealwithbossy/ Common Thread Check out Common Thread on Lunchador! https://feeds.captivate.fm/common-threads-hardcore/ Connections with Evan Dawson Connections with Evan Dawson - Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Connections Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that Lifts Everyone Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

    55 min

  5. 3 MAR

    Everyone’s Creative, Everyone’s Beautiful (with Adam Eaton & guest co-host Magnus Champlin)

    Content warning: This episode contains a brief mention of suicidal ideation (it is not discussed in detail). Please take care while listening. In this special crossover episode, Magnus Champlin of the Mind of Magnus podcast joins host Emily Hessney Lynch for a fun, collaborative interview with photographer Adam Eaton! We discuss the healing power of creativity, Adam's gift for seeing the beauty in others and hearing their stories, and how vital community is. We also chat about getting to know Rochester, the importance of funding the arts, and Adam's new photography book, Black is Beautiful. Links: You can buy Black is Beautiful here.Adam's website & Instagram.Emily's website & Instagram.Listen to the Mind of Magnus podcast.Magnus's work & Instagram. Enjoying the show? Support us by leaving a one-time tip! We'll send you a sticker to say thanks. We're a proud member of the Lunchador Podcast Network. Our logo is by Tenderchomps Art. Mentioned in this episode: Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that Lifts Everyone Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com Behind the Glass Behind the Glass Gallery podcast is a monthly talk with the current month's BTG Roster. Artists are interviewed about their submissions and we dive deep into their process, inspiration and thought process centralized around their artwork in the Behind the Glass Gallery located in the heart of Downtown Rochester NY. Common Thread Check out Common Thread on Lunchador! https://feeds.captivate.fm/common-threads-hardcore/

    46 min

  6. 17 FEB

    Health Anxiety, Love, & Other Complicated Feelings (with Tyler Lima-Roope)

    Tyler Lima-Roope, a content creator and advocate from LA, joins host Emily Hessney Lynch for the second episode in our Rare Disease Month mini series. In this conversation, we talk about what it's like living with a disability, when Tyler first knew he was different from other kids, meeting his wife online thanks to going live on TikTok, health anxiety, what he's lost as his SMA progresses, and the strange, bittersweet feeling of learning about how younger kids with SMA are getting treatment faster now. We also dive into Tyler's career as a content creator, exploring how the wasteland of weirdness on TikTok Live during COVID inspired him to start creating content, the pressure of not squandering your platform even when you need a mental health break, making content you're proud of, giving people grace online, and how he wants to branch out from disability content to talk about other topics. It was a thoughtful, enlightening conversation—and a funny one too! Tyler's cat made an appearance for a portion of the recording session. We hope those moments bring a smile to your face 😻 Links: Tyler's video that we discuss in the episode about playing musical chairs at a birthday party as a kid.How to Prepare for Natural Disasters if You Have a Disability, New York Times article Tyler was featured inCheck out Tyler's TikTok, Instagram, and website.To learn more and support the SMA community, check out Cure SMA!Missed the first episode in the Rare Disease Month mini series? Catch our interview with child neurologist & dad Sam Mackenzie here.Emily's Instagram & website. Enjoying the show? Support us by leaving a one-time tip! We'll send you a sticker to say thanks. We're a proud member of the Lunchador Podcast Network. Our logo is by Tenderchomps Art. Mentioned in this episode: Connections with Evan Dawson Connections with Evan Dawson - Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Connections Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that Lifts Everyone Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

    53 min

  7. 3 FEB

    Parent Guilt, Gene Therapy, & Healthcare as a Human Right (with Sam Mackenzie)

    The first in our two-part series for Rare Disease Month, child neurologist Sam Mackenzie, M.D., Ph.D. joins host Emily Hessney Lynch for a conversation about his career path, research interests, spinal muscular atrophy, gene therapy, and his hopes for a better healthcare system. In the second half of the show, Sam shares his experiences as the dad of three kids, how he feels like a 75-year-old at heart, POOPCUPs, the struggles of finding parent friends you vibe with, and the importance of letting your children be their own people. Notes: Sam mentions that SMA is not that rare compared to some ultra-rare diseases. For reference, SMA affects about one in 15,000 births in the United States. Ultra-rare diseases affect about 1 in 50,000 people.After recording, we double checked the data on the new gene therapy for adults with SMA. Sam confirmed the following: based on patient-reported outcomes data, roughly 50% improved, 25% were stable, and 25% worsened over a one-year timeframe.When we talk about Assassin's Creed, Emily mentions that one of the games was used for some 3D mapping application that she couldn't recall. Turns out Ubisoft used detailed digital scans of Notre Dame to depict it in Assassin's Creed: Unity, and those were later used to rebuild Notre Dame after the devastating fire in 2019. Links: Sam's podcast: Immature Brains: A Child Neurology PodcastFeeling inspired to give to support research this Rare Disease Month? The TANGO2 Research Foundation is a great option!For more on how you can support the SMA community, check out Cure SMA.Follow Emily on InstagramEmily's website Enjoying the show? Support us by leaving a one-time tip! We'll send you a sticker to say thanks. We're a proud member of the Lunchador Podcast Network. Our logo is by Tenderchomps Art. Mentioned in this episode: Behind the Glass Behind the Glass Gallery podcast is a monthly talk with the current month's BTG Roster. Artists are interviewed about their submissions and we dive deep into their process, inspiration and thought process centralized around their artwork in the Behind the Glass Gallery located in the heart of Downtown Rochester NY. Getting Real with Bossy: For Women Who Own Business Check out Getting Real with Bossy: For Women Who Own Business on Lunchador! https://feeds.captivate.fm/gettingrealwithbossy/ Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that Lifts Everyone Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

    47 min

  8. 20 JAN

    2016 Wasn't Better & Neither Were We (minisode with Chris Lindstrom)

    In today's mini episode, host Emily Hessney Lynch is joined by her producer, Chris Lindstrom, who is also the host of Food About Town and co-founder of Lunchador, for a casual chat about how things are going with the podcast, our favorite episodes so far, the 2016 trend and how different things were back then, and how we've become more ourselves over the past 10 years. We also discuss how we've ended up in a post-facts society, the importance of being curious and leaving room for nuance, why we love having real, in-person conversations, and more. Links: Emily has availability for new clients, so if you need social media, digital strategy, or writing support, head to her website.Emily's Instagram (flip through her 2016 photo dump to see the Ivanka Trump dress mentioned in the episode!).Chris's Instagram.Food About Town Instagram. We are a proud member of the Lunchador Podcast Network. Our logo is by Tenderchomps Art. Mentioned in this episode: Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that Lifts Everyone Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

    42 min
See All (28)

About

It's a Lot is a podcast about things that are a lot. We dive deep on social media, parenthood, and beyond—things that can be maddening, all-consuming, and also weird and wonderful. Tune in for honest conversations with parents, social media experts, authors, content creators, and more. We aim to explore hard topics with openness and nuance, while also finding the humor along the way. New episodes drop every other Tuesday. Hosted by Emily Hessney Lynch; find her at @servemethesky on Instagram or at www.servemethesky.com. Our logo was created by Tim Lynch of Tenderchomps Art. We are a proud member of the Lunchador Podcast Network in Rochester, NY.

Information

  • Creator
    Emily Hessney Lynch
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Emily Hessney Lynch
  • Show Website
    It's a Lot