Lots to Unpack There

Jess and Lisa

We’re Jess and Lisa, two best friends in our 40s living in Maryland. This podcast is about life, motherhood, leadership, and everything in between. We’re navigating the “messy middle” of personal and professional life and have learned that having someone who just gets it makes the journey less hard. Each week, we’ll share something real from our own lives and unpack it together in real time. Our hope is that as we process and reflect, it’ll inspire and help you do the same—wherever you are.

  1. Jul 3

    "Be Your Own": Just Enough To Be Dangerous

    Send us Fan Mail If you could wake up tomorrow with four new skill sets that instantly made your day-to-day life easier, what would you choose and why? We start there and end up somewhere surprisingly personal: how competence, comfort, and confidence shape the decisions we make as busy women balancing work, family, and everything in between. Along the way we debate the dream lineup, from mechanic and seamstress to financial advisor and aesthetician, and we dig into what “enough to be dangerous” learning really means in the age of YouTube and endless tutorials.  Then we drop into a real-world moral puzzle that sounds small until it isn’t: a poke bowl, one shaded outdoor table, and the uncomfortable truth that avoiding a 10-second awkward interaction can cost you a much bigger slice of comfort. We talk boundaries, people pleasing, and the invisible rules we follow even when no one asked us to.  The second half shifts into leadership, entrepreneurship, and career growth. We unpack a government RFP proposal that looked exciting until the hidden scope, compliance demands, and project management risk triggered full-body panic. That panic becomes useful data, helping us separate personal stretch from business risk, and showing how a strategic “no” can free up energy for the work that actually fits. If you’ve ever wondered when to push through discomfort versus walk away, this one will hit.  Subscribe for weekly conversations, share this with a friend who overthinks decisions, and leave a review with your four dream skills and the last time you chose “no” on purpose. Support the show Want to support the podcast and help us keep creating content that matters? Here’s how you can get involved: Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! What resonates with you from this episode? How are you navigating your own journey? Connect with us on Instagram @lotstounpacktherepodcast or send us a message at unpack@riverdropcoaching.com. Subscribe & Stay Connected: If you love what you hear, subscribe and leave us a review! Your support helps us reach more women who need a space like this. Let’s build this community together! 📬 Stay Inspired: Sign up for our Substack, where you’ll get fresh insights delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you choose a free or paid subscription, you’ll be the first to know what’s next: Substack 🎧 Bonus Content: Want exclusive access to behind-the-scenes moments and extra episodes? For as little as $3, you can support the show and enjoy bonus content that’s just for you: Support Us Every bit of support helps us keep bringing real conversations from our hearts to your ears! Thank you for being part of the journey! 🙌

    55 min

  2. Jun 11 ·  Bonus

    We're Back! And...Sometimes The Bravest Move Is Setting A Ceiling

    Send us Fan Mail A long gap between recordings can look like silence from the outside, but from the inside it often looks like errands, work fires, and a calendar with zero breathing room. We’re back to catch up, and the catch-up quickly turns into something bigger: how do you live inside a season where you’re always choosing what to be behind on, and how do you do it without drowning in guilt? One of us starts a new job and immediately gets thrown into an emergent situation that reshapes onboarding, workload, and expectations overnight. We talk about the upside of a pressure-cooker season at work: rapid learning, accelerated leadership growth, and the weird confidence that comes from realizing you can do more than you thought. Then we name the downside just as clearly: chronic stress, nonstop prioritization, and the feeling that you’re always one more “yes” away from breaking. From there, we dig into the real question: where is the stop point? When do you decide you’re not going to raise your capacity again right now, and why does that decision so often feel like quitting? We explore limitations, boundaries, and the emotional hangover of FOMO even when your “no” aligns with your values. Along the way we share family updates, a surprisingly satisfying volunteering systems win, and a practical takeaway that changes everything: asking for help without shame. If you’re navigating career transition, burnout, work-life balance, or the constant push to be more, come listen and reflect with us. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a breather, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show Want to support the podcast and help us keep creating content that matters? Here’s how you can get involved: Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! What resonates with you from this episode? How are you navigating your own journey? Connect with us on Instagram @lotstounpacktherepodcast or send us a message at unpack@riverdropcoaching.com. Subscribe & Stay Connected: If you love what you hear, subscribe and leave us a review! Your support helps us reach more women who need a space like this. Let’s build this community together! 📬 Stay Inspired: Sign up for our Substack, where you’ll get fresh insights delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you choose a free or paid subscription, you’ll be the first to know what’s next: Substack 🎧 Bonus Content: Want exclusive access to behind-the-scenes moments and extra episodes? For as little as $3, you can support the show and enjoy bonus content that’s just for you: Support Us Every bit of support helps us keep bringing real conversations from our hearts to your ears! Thank you for being part of the journey! 🙌

    19 min

  3. Jun 11

    AI Side Pieces And The Chore Chart

    Send us Fan Mail AI is everywhere right now, but the hardest part isn’t learning new tools. It’s deciding what you actually want them for, what you never want them to touch, and how to stay clear eyed when the incentives behind the tech don’t match your values. We start with a very modern question: what happens when you ask your own AI assistant to grade how well you use AI? From there we get into the real life differences between ChatGPT and Gemini, especially for small business workflows, meetings, and scaling tasks that don’t need your full brain. Then the conversation turns to trust and influence. We talk about subtle “social engineering” moments, the way apps can steer behavior, and why AI ethics can’t be an abstract debate when these systems show up in search, maps, and daily decisions. We’re not trying to be a technology podcast, but we are trying to be honest about what it feels like to live with powerful tools that can help people or exploit people depending on who’s holding the controls. We close by coming back to life at home: building a weekly rhythm that supports creativity, lowering the mental load, and creating chore systems that are simple enough to actually stick. And we unpack a surprising truth about family vacations: sometimes the best part is later, when the rough edges fade and the memories get sweeter, especially if you protect time for solitude and capture the moments. If this hits home, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review. What boundary are you setting with AI or with your time this week? Support the show Want to support the podcast and help us keep creating content that matters? Here’s how you can get involved: Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! What resonates with you from this episode? How are you navigating your own journey? Connect with us on Instagram @lotstounpacktherepodcast or send us a message at unpack@riverdropcoaching.com. Subscribe & Stay Connected: If you love what you hear, subscribe and leave us a review! Your support helps us reach more women who need a space like this. Let’s build this community together! 📬 Stay Inspired: Sign up for our Substack, where you’ll get fresh insights delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you choose a free or paid subscription, you’ll be the first to know what’s next: Substack 🎧 Bonus Content: Want exclusive access to behind-the-scenes moments and extra episodes? For as little as $3, you can support the show and enjoy bonus content that’s just for you: Support Us Every bit of support helps us keep bringing real conversations from our hearts to your ears! Thank you for being part of the journey! 🙌

    53 min

  4. 08/17/2025

    Reflecting on Season One

    Send us Fan Mail Jess and Lisa reflect on Season One, exploring the themes, growth, and insights gathered through 20 episodes of genuine conversation. • Time management, bravery, parenting, confidence, productivity, and authenticity emerged as key topics • Started the podcast in a period of heaviness, now feeling stronger and more supported in carrying life's burdens • Discussed how vision boards serve as powerful reminders of values and help attract aligned opportunities • Lisa shared how her "professional pause" created space for intentionality and new habits • Examined the importance of balancing seasons of intensity with periods of rest • Recognized the podcast's appeal extends beyond their demographic to universal human experiences • Planning to take a brief hiatus before returning with Season Two Join us on Instagram @lotstounpacktherepodcast and subscribe to our Substack for more content. We've also opened access to our "Unpacked Snacks" bonus episodes for a limited time. Support the show Want to support the podcast and help us keep creating content that matters? Here’s how you can get involved: Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! What resonates with you from this episode? How are you navigating your own journey? Connect with us on Instagram @lotstounpacktherepodcast or send us a message at unpack@riverdropcoaching.com. Subscribe & Stay Connected: If you love what you hear, subscribe and leave us a review! Your support helps us reach more women who need a space like this. Let’s build this community together! 📬 Stay Inspired: Sign up for our Substack, where you’ll get fresh insights delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you choose a free or paid subscription, you’ll be the first to know what’s next: Substack 🎧 Bonus Content: Want exclusive access to behind-the-scenes moments and extra episodes? For as little as $3, you can support the show and enjoy bonus content that’s just for you: Support Us Every bit of support helps us keep bringing real conversations from our hearts to your ears! Thank you for being part of the journey! 🙌

    56 min

  5. 08/10/2025

    Lisa is a Social Crockpot

    Send us Fan Mail Jess and Lisa explore the changing nature of social connections and unpack their contrasting approaches to building relationships. • Beginning with a discussion about the decline of casual social gatherings like potlucks • Reflecting on how the pandemic accelerated our disconnection from casual adult socializing • Examining how parents now prioritize child-centered activities over adult gatherings • Lisa shares her "breadcrumb" approach to relationships—revealing herself slowly and strategically • Contrasting Lisa's measured approach with Jess's preference for immediate deep connection • Discussing how Lisa's approach evolved from trying to be perfect for everyone to authentic but measured • Exploring their different "rings" of friendship—Jess with fewer close connections, Lisa with a wider middle circle • Reflecting on the transient nature of relationships and how people move between different levels of closeness • Appreciating the complementary differences in their friendship styles We'd love to hear how you approach relationships! Are you a breadcrumb-dropper or do you dive deep right away? Connect with us on social media and share your thoughts. Support the show Want to support the podcast and help us keep creating content that matters? Here’s how you can get involved: Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! What resonates with you from this episode? How are you navigating your own journey? Connect with us on Instagram @lotstounpacktherepodcast or send us a message at unpack@riverdropcoaching.com. Subscribe & Stay Connected: If you love what you hear, subscribe and leave us a review! Your support helps us reach more women who need a space like this. Let’s build this community together! 📬 Stay Inspired: Sign up for our Substack, where you’ll get fresh insights delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you choose a free or paid subscription, you’ll be the first to know what’s next: Substack 🎧 Bonus Content: Want exclusive access to behind-the-scenes moments and extra episodes? For as little as $3, you can support the show and enjoy bonus content that’s just for you: Support Us Every bit of support helps us keep bringing real conversations from our hearts to your ears! Thank you for being part of the journey! 🙌

    58 min

  6. 08/07/2025 ·  Bonus

    Unpack Snack: PCC Goal Achieved!

    Send us Fan Mail We celebrate a major professional milestone - Jess receives the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coaching Federation, representing 500 hours of coaching practice (and a whole bunch of other things). This achievement marks a significant step in professional development, moving from Associate Certified Coach (ACC) to the widely recognized "gold standard" in coaching. • The journey from ACC (100 hours) to PCC (500 hours) involves not just accumulating time but experiencing significant professional growth • Reaching certification brings unexpected relief from the pressure of tracking and documenting every coaching hour • The path to Master Certified Coach (MCC) requires 2,500 hours, typically taking 5-7 years at a sustainable pace • Professional development includes both theoretical knowledge and practical experience that transforms how coaches work • Achieving goals brings satisfaction on multiple levels - from the stick-to-itiveness to reach them to the professional doors they open • Setting personal timeframes for achievement helps balance ambition with sustainable practice Support the show Want to support the podcast and help us keep creating content that matters? Here’s how you can get involved: Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! What resonates with you from this episode? How are you navigating your own journey? Connect with us on Instagram @lotstounpacktherepodcast or send us a message at unpack@riverdropcoaching.com. Subscribe & Stay Connected: If you love what you hear, subscribe and leave us a review! Your support helps us reach more women who need a space like this. Let’s build this community together! 📬 Stay Inspired: Sign up for our Substack, where you’ll get fresh insights delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you choose a free or paid subscription, you’ll be the first to know what’s next: Substack 🎧 Bonus Content: Want exclusive access to behind-the-scenes moments and extra episodes? For as little as $3, you can support the show and enjoy bonus content that’s just for you: Support Us Every bit of support helps us keep bringing real conversations from our hearts to your ears! Thank you for being part of the journey! 🙌

    9 min

  7. 08/03/2025

    Music as Memory and Finding Your Happy Place

    Send us Fan Mail Music creates powerful emotional connections and serves as a unique memory trigger, sometimes functioning as a sixth sense for those who experience it as a full-body phenomenon. • Music can transport us back to specific memories and moments in our lives • For some people, music is physically overwhelming and makes multitasking impossible • Using music strategically to alter moods or validate feelings is common • Sound creates beautiful visual patterns when visualized through mediums like sand • Children can develop specific music preferences linked to emotional states from an early age • Having a personal "happy place" provides mental refuge during difficult times • Happy places aren't always physical locations but can be emotional states • Incorporating elements of your happy place into everyday life creates ongoing comfort • Coffee plays a significant role in many people's comfort rituals • Finding moments of peace and control helps manage daily stress Support the show Want to support the podcast and help us keep creating content that matters? Here’s how you can get involved: Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! What resonates with you from this episode? How are you navigating your own journey? Connect with us on Instagram @lotstounpacktherepodcast or send us a message at unpack@riverdropcoaching.com. Subscribe & Stay Connected: If you love what you hear, subscribe and leave us a review! Your support helps us reach more women who need a space like this. Let’s build this community together! 📬 Stay Inspired: Sign up for our Substack, where you’ll get fresh insights delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you choose a free or paid subscription, you’ll be the first to know what’s next: Substack 🎧 Bonus Content: Want exclusive access to behind-the-scenes moments and extra episodes? For as little as $3, you can support the show and enjoy bonus content that’s just for you: Support Us Every bit of support helps us keep bringing real conversations from our hearts to your ears! Thank you for being part of the journey! 🙌

    59 min

  8. 07/27/2025

    Tears in the Zoom Room: An Epidemic of Professional Loneliness

    Send us Fan Mail Jess and Lisa unpack the phenomenon of professional loneliness, particularly how increasing responsibility and leadership roles can lead to fewer safe spaces for vulnerability and authentic connection. • Professional loneliness manifests differently than social loneliness • Leaders often lack peers who understand their unique challenges • Creating space for emotions at work is vital yet challenging • Vulnerability paradoxically builds trust rather than diminishing it • Imposter syndrome creates a self-reinforcing cycle of isolation • Most people judge us far less than we fear they do • Asking for help can actually strengthen professional relationships • Solopreneurs face unique challenges in combating workplace isolation • Volunteering and community involvement help rebuild connection • Self-judgment often creates barriers that prevent authentic relationships If you're experiencing professional loneliness, ask yourself what you need to act in ways that might bring other people in, and consider letting go of self-judgment or perceived judgment from others. Support the show Want to support the podcast and help us keep creating content that matters? Here’s how you can get involved: Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! What resonates with you from this episode? How are you navigating your own journey? Connect with us on Instagram @lotstounpacktherepodcast or send us a message at unpack@riverdropcoaching.com. Subscribe & Stay Connected: If you love what you hear, subscribe and leave us a review! Your support helps us reach more women who need a space like this. Let’s build this community together! 📬 Stay Inspired: Sign up for our Substack, where you’ll get fresh insights delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you choose a free or paid subscription, you’ll be the first to know what’s next: Substack 🎧 Bonus Content: Want exclusive access to behind-the-scenes moments and extra episodes? For as little as $3, you can support the show and enjoy bonus content that’s just for you: Support Us Every bit of support helps us keep bringing real conversations from our hearts to your ears! Thank you for being part of the journey! 🙌

    54 min
See All (28)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

We’re Jess and Lisa, two best friends in our 40s living in Maryland. This podcast is about life, motherhood, leadership, and everything in between. We’re navigating the “messy middle” of personal and professional life and have learned that having someone who just gets it makes the journey less hard. Each week, we’ll share something real from our own lives and unpack it together in real time. Our hope is that as we process and reflect, it’ll inspire and help you do the same—wherever you are.

Information

  • Creator
    Jess and Lisa
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Lots to Unpack There
  • Show Website
    Lots to Unpack There

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