Cozy Conversations with The Sister Project

Lauren Massarella and Michelle Anderson
Cozy Conversations with The Sister Project

Cozy Conversations with The Sister Project is hosted by sisters Lauren Massarella and Michelle Anderson. Michelle hit a breaking point trying to balance full-time work, motherhood, and caring for their mom with dementia. That moment gave birth to a new life philosophy: slow down, care less, do nothing. It’s not just a mantra—it’s a middle finger to burnout. Rooted in Midwestern warmth and wit, their weekly episodes are unfiltered, full of big laughs and cozy inspo.

  1. 4D AGO

    349 | When Your Mom Dies of Dementia, You Take Care of Your Brain

    This episode is a full-bodied pour of pop culture, personal reflection, and practical wellness. Lauren and Michelle unpack their thoughts on high-profile weddings (you know the ones), gush about recent family gatherings, and deep-dive into the unglamorous but essential terrain of perimenopause and brain health. With their mom’s early passing from dementia, the sisters are on a mission to share what they’re learning—about prevention, lifestyle shifts, and how small daily choices can support long-term brain vitality. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by health info or just need a nudge to prioritize your noggin, this one’s for you. Because cozy isn’t just candles and comfort food - it’s also taking care of your brain, your people, and your peace. Hot Topics: Bezos wedding, Portillos, and Bob Dylan Resources: Cozy AF Candle Line Sign Up For Our Newsletter Follow Us On Instagram

    1h 2m

  2. JUN 26

    348 | Dear Girls, Beware the Patriarchy

    In this episode, we’re diving into a New York Times article that had our jaws on the floor and our middle fingers in the air. The headline? Less Burnout, More Babies. The message? Young women should avoid burnout by skipping careers, getting married young, and cranking out kids. We unpack how this shiny new packaging of tradition is just the patriarchy doing what it does best - rebranding control as care. From subtle language shifts to full-blown regressive ideologies wrapped in cottagecore aesthetics, we’re talking about what’s really behind this push and why it’s showing up now. If you’re a woman feeling tired, lost, or overwhelmed by modern life, this episode is your reminder: the answer isn’t to shrink your life to fit someone else’s mold. It’s to question everything - especially systems that benefit when women stay small, silent, and stuck. Expect laughs, some “can you believe this?!” moments, and a solid dose of sisterly wisdom. Bonus: a few feel-good content recs to balance out the existential dread. Hot Topics: Marlee Matlin (actress), Wendy Freedman astronomer), and Pride. Resources: Less Burnout, More Babies Cozy Convos Merch Cozy AF Candle Line Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

    1h 6m

  3. JUN 12

    347 | Living in a Hypernormal, Not So Cozy Hellscape

    Lauren and Michelle tackle the big, uncomfortable stuff: how do we keep living our “normal” lives when everything feels like it’s on fire? From grocery store sticker shock to the emotional whiplash of scrolling social media, they unpack the weird disconnect of modern life - aka hypernormalization. They open up about guilt, anxiety, and the helplessness that creeps in when the world’s problems feel too big to fix. In an effort to survive these times, they talk about the power of small actions, the role of protest and community, and why hope still matters. Hot Topics: Musk/Trump break up, the LA protests, and mental health. Resources: Shop our Merch! Shop Our Candles! Sign Up for Our Newsletter! The Guardian Chicago Empower Breakfast Networking Event USE OUR CODE SLOWDOWN FOR $5 OFF Thanks to our sponsor Lemolade.

    1h 8m

  4. JUN 5

    346| We Took Our Cozy Chaos to the Farmers Market

    This week, we’re recapping our farmers market debut. Yep, your girls popped up on a Thursday with candles, iced coffee, and permission slips to slow down, care less, and do nothing. What we didn’t expect? To walk away totally lit up by the connections we made. Wow. In this episode, we unpack what it meant to meet our community face-to-face. From heartwarming chats with longtime listeners to surprisingly deep convos with teenagers who were like, “Wait, slowing down is kinda cool?” Spoiler: it sure is. We also share a moment that stopped us in our tracks: a wise and super cool elder who gave us a TED Talk on living fully. It was cozy, chaotic, and everything in between. Tune in for a peek behind the booth and a reminder that showing up- on a Thursday, no less- can lead to some seriously unexpected magic. Hot Topics: And Just Like That, Outstanding Young Women of America (1970), and thrifting. Resources: Cozy Convo Merch Cozy AF Candle Line Sign Up For Our Newsletter Follow Us On Instagram Thank you to our sponsor Lemolade

    1h 11m

  5. MAY 29

    345 | Escaping the Scroll and Digital Burnout for Simple Joys

    In this cozy and refreshingly real episode, Michelle Anderson and Lauren Massarella unpack the ever-growing weight of social media burnout and the underrated magic of simple pleasures. From the grounding joy of gardening to the sweet escape of live music, they explore what it means to reconnect with ourselves—and each other—outside the noise of digital life. They swap stories about parenting in the age of endless scrolling, laugh over a darkly funny memoir about the funeral industry, and reminisce about childhood joys. Whether you're craving more presence, less pressure, or just a good laugh, this conversation serves as a reminder that sometimes, the best moments are the ones that don’t make it to your feed. Hot Topics: Pee Wee As Himself, The Wedding People, Beyoncé, and Post Malone. Resources: Shop our merch! Shop Our Candles! Sign Up For Our Newsletter! Follow Us On Instagram! Thank you to our sponsors Lemolade and Crescent Moon Therapy.

    59 min

  6. MAY 22

    344 | Small Steps, Big Shifts: How Nature, Travel & Gardening Heal with Jennifer Neubauer

    In this heartwarming episode, The Sister Project sits with Jennifer Neubauer of Hook and Garden — gardener, traveler, and all-around soul-led creator. Jennifer’s journey is rooted in trust: trust in the universe, in herself, and in the whispers of life that tell us when to pause, when to leap, and when to plant new seeds (literally and figuratively). From unforgettable travels to Africa to the meditative magic of working with soil, Jennifer shares what rebuilding a life is like through intention, connection, and curiosity. Whether she’s amongst gorillas in the jungle, cultivating a garden, or launching a new creative endeavor, she leans into the unknown with a quiet confidence that everything will unfold as it should. Together, we explore the beauty of simplicity, the healing power of nature, and what it means to start over—one small step at a time. We also chat about local living, meaningful provisioning, and how gardening can become both a grounding ritual and a spiritual practice. This one’s for the wanderers, the wellness seekers, and anyone in the middle of a life pivot. Hot Topics: Local Provisions, Hook and Garden, and Gorillas in the Midst. Resources: Local Provisions Hook and Garden Cozy Convo Merch Cozy AF Candle Line Sign Up For Our Newsletter Follow Us On Instagram Thank you to our sponsors Lemolade and Crescent Moon Therapy

    1h 4m

  7. MAY 15

    343 | Friendship and Connection: Your Brain’s Favorite Supplements

    Grab your favorite mug and get comfy - Lauren and Michelle are diving the kind of friendship that keeps you grounded, sane, and maybe even laughing through your tears. In this episode, they explore the magic of authentic connection - why spending time with friends isn’t just fun, it’s necessary for your mental health. From the comfort of community to the freedom of being unapologetically yourself, they reflect on how friendships, good conversations, and time with one another shape who we are. You’ll hear heartfelt stories, a fresh take on Mary Magdalene (spoiler: she was kind of a big deal), and some honest reflections on their late mother’s influence. Oh—and a few ideas on how they’re trying to get this podcast into more ears. It’s cozy, candid, and just might make you call your best friend after. Hot Topics: Mary Magdalene, Meghan - The Duchess of Sussex, and Coffeeology. Cozy Merch Cozy AF Candle Line Sign Up For Our Newsletter Follow Us On Instagram Thanks to our sponsors, Crescent Moon Therapy and Lemolade

    54 min

  8. MAY 8

    342 | Mentor, Motherboss, and CEO of Her Own Damn Life with Nicole Lyon

    Ever wonder what it takes to build a business from scratch and keep your sanity intact? In this lively and heartfelt episode, Nicole Lyon, Founder of LYON MGMT, opens up about her unconventional journey from modeling to talent management, proving that it’s never too late to chase a new dream (or several). We talk grit, grace, and growing a business when the odds—and maybe your energy levels—aren’t always in your favor. Nicole shares how she’s mentoring the next generation of fierce young women, why affirmations aren’t just woo-woo fluff, and how self-care is less bubble baths and more boundaries. From childhood memories to real-world hustle, this episode is packed with inspiration, laughter, and hard-won wisdom. You'll want to hit play if you're into purpose-driven hustle and real talk about resilience. This is a girl power cozy convo! Hot Topics: The Parisian Agency, GRIT (Girls Re-Imagining Tomorrow), and finding purpose in passion projects. Resources:  ⁠G.R.I.T.⁠ ⁠LYON MGMT⁠ ⁠Cozy Convo Merch⁠ ⁠Cozy AF Candle Line⁠ ⁠Sign Up For Our Newsletter⁠ Thank you to our sponsors ⁠Lemolade⁠ and ⁠Crescent Moon Therapy

    1h 11m
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
269 Ratings

About

Cozy Conversations with The Sister Project is hosted by sisters Lauren Massarella and Michelle Anderson. Michelle hit a breaking point trying to balance full-time work, motherhood, and caring for their mom with dementia. That moment gave birth to a new life philosophy: slow down, care less, do nothing. It’s not just a mantra—it’s a middle finger to burnout. Rooted in Midwestern warmth and wit, their weekly episodes are unfiltered, full of big laughs and cozy inspo.

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