In Episode 14, Lara is joined by her brother Joel (newly 40 and officially “midlife”) to tell the story behind a sudden, terrifying health spiral that started with flu + strep and escalated into mastoiditis, meningitis, shingles, and even a “brain-adjacent” blood clot.

They talk about what it felt like to lose basic processing (including not being able to read a simple kids’ book), the reality of two hospital stays and heavy IV meds, and the part people don’t say out loud: the fear of surviving… but not fully coming back.

On the other side of it, Joel shares what’s changing now—getting healthier, showing up more for the people he loves, reconnecting with old friends, and parenting with more softness and clarity.

In this episode:

• How an ear infection turned into a full-body emergency
• Mastoiditis + meningitis (and what those actually mean in real life)
• The cognitive symptoms that scared everyone most
• Shingles, a blood clot, and the “throw everything at it” treatment plan
• Recovery: hearing loss, ENT follow-ups, and the slow return to “normal”
• The mindset shift: presence, family, marriage, and parenting differently

Note: This episode includes medical discussion (not medical advice). If you’re worried about symptoms, seek professional care.

This week’s episode is a real-time life update — recorded on a quiet Saturday night, alone, with a glass of wine and a lot of honesty.

Lara shares what midlife looks like in the in-between moments — when your child is at their other parent’s house, the weekend stretches long, and the silence feels louder than usual.

In this episode:

• A family update after her brother’s recent health scare
• The reality of solo parenting during busy seasons
• The frustration of wanting companionship but not wanting to settle
• The complicated comfort of wine
• And how binge-watching Bridgerton can make you both swoon… and spiral

This conversation explores:

• Relationship loneliness in midlife
• Self-worth being tied to partnership
• Wondering if you’re “healed enough”
• Watching others remarry while you’re still waiting

Midlife isn’t always empowering quotes and glow-ups. Sometimes it’s a valley. Sometimes it’s crying into a microphone on a Saturday night.

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Tomorrow is another day.

Until next time… be your best mess.

Charleston has been ranked a top travel city for years — but visiting and living here are two totally different experiences. In this episode, Lara shares why she chose Charleston, what surprised her after moving from the DC area, and how each part of town has its own personality — from downtown’s postcard charm to West Ashley’s laid-back “real life” vibe, to Mount Pleasant’s suburban-coastal polish, to Folly’s low-key surf energy, and Summerville’s fast-growing family scene. She also gets honest about growth, traffic, cost, school choice, the dating scene, and Charleston’s complicated history — and why she’s still grateful to call it home.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• Why Lara chose Charleston (small-town Virginia → DC → “Charleston is my middle”)
• Two things she missed immediately: major league sports + a thriving mall (hello, Sephora panic 😅)
• “Postcard Charleston”: Rainbow Row, carriages, church steeples, Spanish moss (and why she loves it)
• Downtown breakdown: Upper King vs. Lower King + a lesser-known gem (Philadelphia Alley)
• Neighborhood/area vibes across the metro (3 counties: Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester):
  • North Charleston realities + the cool pockets (Park Circle, Old Navy Base redevelopment)
  • “East of the Cooper” world: Mount Pleasant, Sullivan’s, IOP, Daniel Island
  • “West side” world: West Ashley (Avondale) + hidden treasure Charles Towne Landing
  • The plantation district stops: Drayton Hall, Magnolia, Middleton Place
  • Island life: James Island, Johns Island (and commute/traffic realities)
  • Beach culture: why Folly Beach is her favorite
  • Summerville: old-town charm + Nexton growth and what it feels like
• Schools & the big question: “Where are the good schools?”
  • What “school choice” means in Charleston County
  • Spotlight on Ashley River Creative Arts (and why Lara loves it for her daughter)
  • Magnet options later (arts + academic pathways)
• Growth and the economy: the metro pushing toward ~1M over the next decade + diversified industry
• The “been here vs come here” tension (and the transplant jokes)
• Dating in Charleston: slightly more women than men + Peter Pan syndrome (Lara keeps it real)
• Charleston’s complicated past — and why acknowledging it matters
  • The market’s history
  • International African American Museum, McLeod Plantation, and honoring Gullah Geechee culture
• Closing: Charleston isn’t perfect (cost, heat, traffic)… but it’s where she’s built a life

If you know someone visiting or thinking about moving to Charleston, send them this episode. And if you want a deeper dive on any area (West Ashley pockets, Mount Pleasant vs Daniel Island, best “local” beach days, etc.), DM Lara and tell her what you want next.