Sister-in-Law

Briana Steel and Cambria Steel

Not everyone gets lucky enough to have the best sister-in-law ever — someone you can laugh with, vent to, and shamelessly overshare with. That’s where we come in. We’re Briana and Cambria Steel, two women in tech, and if it wasn't obvious, sisters-in-law. We may have been brought together by a man, but we sure as hell aren’t reliant on one. Think of us as your coven as we navigate life — the good, the messy, the meaningful, and all the cringe-worthy moments in between. Through honest conversations, we’ll share our different perspectives, learn and grow right alongside you, and dive into the topics that matter most — from finance and career to fashion, women’s health, and everything in between. At the heart of it, this is about expanding our knowledge, finding connection, and tackling the chaos of life while laughing the whole way through.

  1. Talking to Your Parents About Money, Aging, & Healthcare

    Jun 4

    Talking to Your Parents About Money, Aging, & Healthcare

    The conversation your family keeps putting off — and why having it now is one of the most loving things you can do. Episode Summary Episode 11 opens with Bri sick — courtesy of Clay's British co-worker in Greece who kissed her on the cheek while actively ill, cultural norms be damned — and a glowing recap of Kelly's bachelorette trip in Loreto, Mexico, which may be the most slept-on beach destination just a short flight from Southern California. Catamaran, dolphin sightings, Gatorade-blue water, and zero waves. Consider this your sign to book it. Then it's Summer House reunion territory — the first reunion episode just dropped and Bri and Cambria have a lot to say. Amanda's energy walking into that stage, West and what he's done to what was genuinely a great season, Mia being the undefeated all-star, and Ciara holding her ground in a way neither of them expected. They get into it. But the heart of this episode is the main topic: planning for your parents' future before you have to. Cambria recently had a vulnerable, courageous conversation with her mom Lauren about finances, retirement, and what happens when things get hard — and she's bringing that experience to the pod. Bri and Cambria walk through why these conversations are so hard to start (shame, generational taboos, the fact that women couldn't get a credit card without a male co-signer until 1974), why avoiding them only makes the hard things harder, and exactly how to open the door with your own parents. With starter questions, key stats, and a lot of heart, this one is a genuine resource — not just a conversation. What We Cover Bri's Greece sick saga and the cheek kiss heard round the worldLoreto, Mexico: the two-hour direct flight bachelorette destination you need to know aboutSummer House reunion episode 1 breakdown: Amanda, Wes, Sierra, and MiaWhy our parents' generation wasn't set up for financial literacy — and why that's not their faultWomen couldn't get a credit card or mortgage without a male co-signer until 1974Cambria's conversation with her mom Lauren — and what it actually looked likeConverting a traditional IRA to a Roth and why it matters for your familyThe sandwich generation: caring for aging parents and your own kids at the same timeKey stats: 43% of households ages 55–64 have zero retirement savings; assisted living averages $74K/year; 66% of Americans don't have a willWills, trusts, healthcare directives, and power of attorney — what you actually needThe "I never want to be in a home" conversation and how to handle it honestlyStarter questions to open the conversation with your parentsWhy planning for hard things is one of the most loving things you can doShoutout to producer Pat Swoboda! Timestamps 00:00 – Intro, Bri is sick, and the Greece cheek kiss incident03:15 – Loreto, Mexico bachelorette recap — the underrated destination breakdown06:30 – Summer House reunion episode 1: all the thoughts14:45 – Transitioning to today's main topic: planning for your parents' future16:00 – Why our parents' generation wasn't taught financial literacy18:30 – Cambria's conversation with her mom Lauren and what made it work21:00 – Meeting with a financial advisor together — the IRA to Roth example23:15 – The key stats you need to hear25:30 – Wills, trusts, healthcare directives, and power of attorney27:45 – The "I don't want to be in a home" conversation29:30 – How to start the conversation: starter questions for every scenario32:00 – The overall message: plan now, don't react later33:30 – Shoutout to producer Pat's Wabota and sign off

    35 min
  2. Interview Tips & The Right Exercise for You

    May 21

    Interview Tips & The Right Exercise for You

    The career prep, promotion strategy, and workout reality check every woman needs. Episode Summary In Episode 10, Bri and Cambria kick things off with a Friend Offsite update — including travel safety, Facebook Marketplace luxury hacks, LA mayoral candidates, the history of accents, and martinis — before diving into the Summer House audio leak drama. Amanda, West, and Ciara become the jumping-off point for a bigger conversation about accountability, friendship, attraction vs. action, and why “you can’t help who you fall for” is not a defense in this situation. Then Cambria gets into the career advice that has helped her stand out in competitive corporate environments, especially in interviews. Her philosophy: you don’t have to be the smartest person in the room if you are the most prepared. From listening to earnings calls to building a 30/60/90 plan, creating a story bank, and sending quarterly “report card” recaps to your boss, she breaks down the exact tactics that help you interview better, control your narrative, and make promotions easier for your manager to advocate for. Bri closes the episode with a practical and refreshingly honest conversation about exercise — especially for women whose bodies, schedules, hormones, or life stages are changing. She walks Cambria through a workout personality quiz, then breaks down strength training, HIIT, Pilates, walking, cardio, cortisol, cycle syncing, and why the best workout plan is the one your actual life and body can stick with. What We Cover Friend Offsite: what it is, how it started, and what’s on the agenda this quarterThe Summer House audio leaks and why accountability isn’t landingCambria’s “be the most prepared” career philosophyWhy you should listen to a company’s earnings call before an interviewThe 30/60/90 plan that helps you stand out in panel interviewsBuilding a “story bank” so you’re ready for situational interview questionsQuarterly report cards: how to track your goals and help your boss promote youWhy you should take recruiter calls even when you’re happy in your jobBri’s workout quiz: what kind of exercise routine actually works for youStrength training, bone density, metabolism, and why women shouldn’t fear “bulking”HIIT, cortisol, Pilates, walking, cardio, and cycle syncingWhy adjusting your workouts to your body is not laziness — it’s strategy Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and excitement for Friend Offsite00:44 – What Friend Offsite is and this quarter’s agenda02:58 – Summer House audio leaks: Amanda, Wes, Sierra, and accountability09:20 – Cambria’s career topic: how to get ahead at work10:00 – Imposter syndrome, Twitter, and deciding to be the most prepared11:16 – Interview tip 1: listen to the company’s earnings call12:37 – What to do if the company is private and has no earnings call13:36 – Interview tip 2: create a 30/60/90 plan15:04 – Interview tip 3: build a story bank before panel interviews17:16 – Promotion tip: send quarterly report cards to your boss19:40 – Bri’s lesson from boss turnover and outdated goals21:01 – How to scale the prep when you’re interviewing at multiple companies21:50 – Take every recruiter call and keep the interview muscle warm23:12 – Bri’s exercise topic and why her routine is changing during pregnancy24:17 – Workout quiz: where, why, and how do you actually exercise?28:42 – Quiz results: trainer, gym, joy-first movement, or intensity management29:13 – Strength training, metabolism, bone density, and longevity31:37 – HIIT, cortisol, and why more intensity isn’t always better32:07 – Pilates, Lagree, sciatica, and the “hot girl workout” reality34:30 – Walking as the most underrated cortisol reset35:02 – Cardio, cycling, cortisol, and hormone considerations35:57 – Matching workouts to stress response, body type, and recovery36:42 – Cycle syncing and giving yourself grace37:50 – Final takeaway: get the job, then get moving

    38 min
  3. SIL's Top Travel Hacks

    May 7

    SIL's Top Travel Hacks

    The carry-on essentials, airport shortcuts, and little-known tricks that actually make travel better. Episode Summary In Episode 9, Bri and Cambria are fresh off a string of trips — Costa Rica for brother Matt and Madie's wedding, Nicaragua with sister Cory, and a bachelorette trip to Mexico on the horizon — so travel is very much top of mind. Before diving in, Bri shares a quick pop culture moment about trusting your gut, using the Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson situation as a jumping-off point for a genuinely useful framework: if your internal thought about a person ends in a question mark, that's anxiety — if it ends in a statement, that's your gut. Then it's straight into the hacks. From the obvious-but-necessary (TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, credit card portals) to the ones you haven't thought of yet (hotel slippers on the plane, a pre-packed pharmacy bag, a packing spreadsheet that tells you how packed you are), Bri and Cambria trade their best travel tips with the energy of two people who have genuinely learned these lessons the hard way. Cambria forgot her entire makeup bag for a wedding weekend in Costa Rica. Bri's husband Clay got free doubles the whole flight after a goodie bag for the flight attendants. These are real-life tested hacks, not just things they read online. What We Cover Trusting your gut: the anxiety vs. intuition framework from Hannah BernerTSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry — what's the difference and do you need both?Which credit cards cover the Global Entry and TSA PreCheck feesAirTagging everything — and why the passport holder is the one non-negotiableGoodie bags for flight attendants and why it works especially well in economyHotel slippers + compression socks: the long-haul flight combo you didn't know you neededPacking a travel pharmacy bag so you never have to hunt down a foreign CVSThe TikTok packing checklist spreadsheet that tells you exactly how packed you areDownloading Google Maps offline before you leave homeYouTubing the airport before you fly — especially for connections and rideshare pickupAirPod Max 2s with real-time language translation: the future is hereLeaving a backup credit card at the hotel — and the passport safety debateOvernight face masks on flights and why planes are destroying your skin Timestamps 00:00 – Intro, halfway through pregnancy update, and non-stop travel in 202602:45 – Pop culture: Megan Thee Stallion, Klay Thompson, and trusting your gut06:10 – Hack 1: TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry — and which cards cover the fee09:30 – Hack 2: AirTag everything, especially your passport12:15 – Hack 3: Goodie bags for flight attendants (Clay's free doubles story)15:00 – Hack 4: Hotel slippers + compression socks on the plane17:45 – Hack 5: Packing a travel pharmacy bag20:10 – Hack 6: The TikTok packing checklist spreadsheet22:30 – Hack 7: Download Google Maps offline before you leave24:15 – Hack 8: YouTube the airport before you fly26:00 – Hack 9: AirPod Max 2s and real-time language translation27:30 – Hack 10: Leave a backup credit card at the hotel29:10 – Hack 11: Overnight face mask on the plane30:20 – Wrap up and happy travels

    31 min
  4. Apr 23

    Attachment Types & Stress Reduction

    What your attachment style says about you, and why your cortisol might be running the whole show. Episode Summary Episode 8 kicks off with a couple of quick follow-ups — turns out there are seven sisters planning the baby shower (not six), and Captain Bill, Brie's father-in-law, tuned in and wants to know if magnesium works for guys too. Spoiler: it does. Then Bri and Cambria get into something that's been consuming their group chat: the Summer House reunion and the Ciara situation. Bri, who grew up half black in primarily white spaces, brings a personal and nuanced lens to what it means to be the only black person in the room — how you're perceived, how you're allowed to act, and what it feels like to watch that play out on a national stage. It's one of the more real and thoughtful conversations they've had on the pod. From there, Bri takes the wheel with attachment styles — the psychology of how we connect, pull away, or quietly spiral in our close relationships. She runs Cambria through a five-question quiz (secure, anxious, or avoidant?), and the results spark a genuinely honest conversation about therapy, past relationships, and why most people are actually a blend of all three. Then Cambria breaks down cortisol — what it actually is, why it's not the villain TikTok makes it out to be, and what chronic stress is really doing to your body and your relationships. From morning routines to fake urgency to magnesium, it's a practical and surprisingly reassuring look at why your nervous system is just trying to keep you alive. What We Cover Seven sisters, not six — and a quick shoutout to Captain BillMagnesium: yes, it works for men tooThe Summer House reunion, the Ciara situation, and what it means to be the only black person in a white spaceAttachment styles 101: secure, anxious, and avoidantThe five-question attachment style quiz (take it yourself!)Why most people are a blend — and why that changes depending on the relationshipHow therapy can move you from anxious to avoidant to secureWhat cortisol actually is and why it's not the enemyChronic cortisol vs. acute cortisol — and what modern life is doing to bothHow to fix your morning to fix your cortisol curveReducing fake urgency: notifications, email, and the Instagram problemWhy sleep is your biggest lever for stressSafety signals: laughing, nature, slow mornings, and doing nothing without guilt Timestamps 00:00 – Intro, seven sisters correction, and Captain Bill's magnesium question02:30 – Summer House, Ciara, and being the only black person in white spaces10:15 – Wrapping the Bravo talk and transitioning to attachment styles11:45 – What are attachment styles? Secure, anxious, and avoidant explained13:20 – The five-question attachment style quiz20:10 – Tallying results and what they actually mean24:00 – Cortisol 101: what it is and why it exists26:30 – What happens when cortisol stays chronically high28:45 – How to lower your cortisol: morning routines, walks, and reducing fake urgency32:00 – Sleep, magnesium, and safety signals34:10 – The real takeaway: regulate your nervous system first

    36 min
  5. Apr 9

    Surprise! Bri's Pregnant!

    Bri's pregnant! The SILs break down pregnancy icks, and how best to support your pregnant family members & friends. Episode Summary In this episode of Sister-in-Law, Bri finally shares the news she's been keeping since her honeymoon — she's pregnant with a baby boy! She and Cambria walk through the whole story: the fertility planning, the empty pregnancy test box in Thailand, the 7-Eleven run on a scooter, and the faint second line that confirmed everything on the last day of the trip. Now 16 weeks in and firmly in her second trimester, Bri gets real about what the first trimester actually felt like — the all-day nausea, the exhaustion, the Taco Bell diet, and the mental toll of feeling unproductive for months. From there, the conversation shifts into something more practical and deeply thoughtful: what does real support look like for a new mom? Bri opens up about being bad at asking for help, and together she and Cambria dream up a postpartum binder — a room-by-room guide for anyone coming to help so Bri doesn't have to explain where the dish soap is at 3am. They also cover the baby shower icks (no gift opening, no "Mama" merch, please), how they're already planning a postpartum Airbnb setup for the village, and the name they're 99% locked in on — Cade — which has more meaning behind it than they expected. What We Cover The honeymoon pregnancy discovery story — fertility planning, a stolen test, and a Thai 7-ElevenWhat the first trimester actually felt like (hint: worse than you think)The mental health toll of feeling sick and unproductive for monthsWhat practical support really looks like vs. "let me know what you need"The postpartum binder idea — and Cambria's a la carte menu add-onBaby shower icks: gift opening, "Mama" everything, and the signed book situationThe postpartum Airbnb plan for the villageBelly touching etiquette, appointments, and the first ultrasound momentThe baby name: Cade — and the unexpected Mortal Kombat connectionHow pregnancy has surprisingly made Bri… calmer? Timestamps 00:00 – Bri's big announcement: she's pregnant!02:14 – The honeymoon discovery story and the Thailand 7-Eleven run06:30 – Finding out it's a boy and what's surprised her most09:45 – What the first trimester was really like14:20 – What Bri actually needs: practical help over emotional check-ins18:05 – The postpartum binder idea and Cam's menu concept23:30 – Baby shower icks and the gift opening debate29:00 – The postpartum Airbnb plan and building the village33:15 – Belly touching, appointments, and the first heartbeat ultrasound38:40 – The name: Cade, Mortal Kombat, and a meaningful connection42:00 – Wrapping up and how to tell them what you want more of on the pod

    32 min
  6. How to Stop Procrastinating & Speak to Your Most Empowered Self

    Mar 26

    How to Stop Procrastinating & Speak to Your Most Empowered Self

    Episode 6: How to Stop Procrastinating & Speak to Your Most Empowered Self How we talk to the people we love, why we procrastinate, and what our habits might really be telling us. Episode Summary In this episode of Sister-in-Law, Bri introduces the idea of “speaking to the most empowered version” of someone through the lens of transactional analysis. She breaks down how people often communicate from one of three ego states: parent, child, or adult, and explains why the healthiest conversations happen when we speak to each other’s adult, most grounded selves. Together, Bri and Cambria reflect on how easy it is to fall into old family dynamics, defensive patterns, and judgmental language, and why it matters to communicate in ways that invite respect, clarity, and growth. Later, Cambria dives into procrastination and the psychology behind why we avoid the things that matter most. Rather than chalking it up to laziness or poor time management, she explains how procrastination is often rooted in emotional regulation, with fear, perfectionism, boredom, uncertainty, overwhelm, and even burnout playing a bigger role than most people realize. It’s part relationship insight, part productivity reset, and a reminder that whether you’re talking to someone else or to yourself, the goal is the same: lead with compassion, clarity, and the version of yourself that’s most capable of moving forward. What We Cover Reading before bed and simple habits that improve sleepBook recs and current reading obsessionsThe psychology of communication: parent, child, and adult ego statesHow to speak to the most empowered version of someoneWhy communication patterns shape conflict in relationshipsWhy procrastination is about emotional regulation, not lazinessThe five emotional drivers of procrastinationHow to tell the difference between burnout and avoidanceSimple tools to get unstuck (shrinking the task, the 10-minute rule)Why self-talk and shame keep you stuck longer Timestamps 00:00 – Intro, exhaustion, and reading before bed05:21 – Speaking to the most empowered version of someone06:44 – Parent, child, and adult communication styles09:08 – How these patterns affect relationships12:58 – Why procrastination is really about emotion, not laziness17:01 – What your brain is doing when you procrastinate22:46 – Burnout vs. procrastination24:07 – Tools to get unstuck and move forward

    29 min
  7. Chill The F*** Out

    Mar 12

    Chill The F*** Out

    Episode 5: Chill The F*** Out Sleep routines, stress spirals, and the advice we’d give our younger selves. Episode Summary In this episode of Sister-in-Law, Bri and Cambria talk about something everyone seems to be struggling with lately: stress and sleep. After a stretch of nonstop travel and busy schedules, the two unpack the routines, supplements, and habits that actually help them wind down and get better rest. They share practical tips for building a realistic nighttime routine, managing anxiety before bed, and calming your nervous system when your brain won’t shut off. Later in the conversation, they shift gears and reflect on the advice they wish they could give their younger selves. From confidence and therapy to friendships, finances, and career identity, Bri and Cambria share honest reflections on what mattered most at 25 and what they would do differently at 30. It’s part sleep toolkit, part life reflection, and a reminder that sometimes the best advice is simply to chill the f*** out. What We Cover Bedtime routines that actually help improve sleepSupplements and habits that support better restHow stress and anxiety impact sleep qualitySimple ways to calm your nervous system before bedJournaling, “brain rot” TV, and other ways to stop a stress spiralThe importance of movement and daily habits for deeper sleepAdvice Bri and Cambria would give their 25-year-old selvesConfidence, therapy, and learning to stop being so hard on yourselfFinancial planning and student loan realities in your 30sWhy your career shouldn’t define your entire identity Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and travel exhaustion after weeks on the road02:05 – Supplements, skincare routines, and staying consistent while traveling03:30 – Cambria’s bedtime routine for better sleep05:20 – Wind-down schedules, hydration, and not eating before bed07:00 – Limiting screens and building a realistic nighttime routine08:50 – Magnesium, supplements, and simple sleep hacks09:00 – Sleep trackers and learning what affects your rest10:15 – Stress before big work moments and anxiety before bed10:45 – Journaling and talking through problems to calm your mind11:50 – “Brain-rot” TV and breaking the stress spiral12:20 – Shocking the nervous system to stop anxiety loops13:20 – Red light lamps, ice therapy, and calming the body14:15 – Bonus financial hack: splitting mortgage payments16:20 – Advice we’d give our 25-year-old selves17:10 – Frontal lobe development and giving yourself grace17:30 – Why friendships in your 20s are sacred19:40 – Cambria on self-confidence and wishing she started therapy earlier22:10 – How confidence affects every area of life23:10 – Advice for our 30-year-old selves23:40 – Student loans, saving money, and financial planning earlier27:40 – Why your career shouldn’t define your identity29:40 – Final takeaway: relax a little and chill the f*** out

    31 min
  8. The Science of Happy

    Feb 26

    The Science of Happy

    Episode Summary In this episode of Sister-in-Law, Bri and Cambria tackle two very different — but deeply connected — conversations. First, Bri shares her “10 Commandments of the Moment,” a fiery, grounded reset for women who feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, and exhausted from always being the bigger person. It’s about reclaiming power, telling the truth, and refusing to shrink. Then Cambria shifts into the science of happiness; breaking down the four key neurochemicals that influence how we feel: dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins. She explains how chronic stress suppresses these chemicals, why modern life overwhelms our biology, and what we can practically do every day to support our brains. It’s part empowerment manifesto, part neuroscience cheat sheet. Part One: Bri’s 10 Commandments of the Moment A response to overwhelm, information overload, and the emotional weight many women are carrying. Core themes: No more being the bigger personStop absorbing everyone else’s emotionsTell the truth, even if it’s uncomfortableChannel anger into clarityProtect your energyReclaim your personal powerStop shrinking to make others comfortableOwn your voiceCreate boundaries without apologyFocus on what you can actually controlThis section is less about being “nice” and more about being honest. Part Two: The Science of Happy Cambria breaks down the four primary “happy chemicals” in the brain and how to work with them instead of against them. Dopamine The motivation and reward chemical. Great for drive — dangerous when overstimulated. Serotonin The mood stabilizer. Influenced by sunlight, movement, confidence, and status. Oxytocin The connection chemical. Built through touch, eye contact, deep conversations, rituals, and feeling emotionally seen. EndorphinsThe pain relief and stress buffer chemical. Nature’s Advil. Helps you tolerate life’s intensity. She also explains: How cortisol (stress) blocks happy chemicalsWhy chronic stress exhausts your systemWhy modern life overwhelms our biologyWhy reducing stress must come before increasing happinessPractical Tools Shared Oxytocin boosters: 20-second hugsDeep conversationsEye contactLaughing with friendsPhysical touchComplimentsGroup ritualsPetting animalsActs of kindnessFeeling emotionally seen Endorphin boosters: Exercise that makes you sweatLaughing hardDancingCold exposureSpicy foodsCryingSinging loudlySex or orgasmAccomplishing hard thingsWatching something genuinely funny Includes a quick self-assessment quiz to determine whether you’re supported, low, or depleted. Timestamps 00:00 – Thailand recap and life updates 06:00 – The episode overview: rage + science 09:00 – Bri’s 10 Commandments of the Moment 25:00 – Why modern life overwhelms our biology 32:00 – The four happy chemicals explained 45:00 – Oxytocin and connection practices 55:00 – Endorphins, stress, and the quiz 1:05:00 – Practical everyday happiness boosters

    32 min
5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Not everyone gets lucky enough to have the best sister-in-law ever — someone you can laugh with, vent to, and shamelessly overshare with. That’s where we come in. We’re Briana and Cambria Steel, two women in tech, and if it wasn't obvious, sisters-in-law. We may have been brought together by a man, but we sure as hell aren’t reliant on one. Think of us as your coven as we navigate life — the good, the messy, the meaningful, and all the cringe-worthy moments in between. Through honest conversations, we’ll share our different perspectives, learn and grow right alongside you, and dive into the topics that matter most — from finance and career to fashion, women’s health, and everything in between. At the heart of it, this is about expanding our knowledge, finding connection, and tackling the chaos of life while laughing the whole way through.