Packing. Parking. Panicking.

Jill Knox: Artists are Serious, Resourceful People. And you can be one too.

Have you ever visited an art museum and wondered if you're doing it wrong? Me too. That's why I'm so happy to welcome our season's final guest, Jill Knox.  Jill Knox [https://www.instagram.com/jillknoxpowell/] is a Pasadena-based mixed-media artist with deep roots in the museum world. Raised by museum professionals, she grew up surrounded by art and developed the belief that art should be experienced, questioned, and enjoyed — not put behind invisible walls. With an MFA in Acting from Brown University, Jill’s work blends performance sensibilities with texture, language, and playful materials. Her practice spans functional art, mixed-media pieces, and installations that invite touch, curiosity, and conversation. Her philosophy is simple: no gatekeeping. Jill creates work meant for everyone — not just collectors or people fluent in “art speak.” Whether through her studio practice, teaching, or community presence, she champions accessibility, creative courage, and the idea that art isn’t an exclusive club — it’s a space where everyone belongs. We chat about the hypocrisy of society's approach to artists and their inherent qualities, what it means to be "creative," and whether there is a wrong way to begin appreciating art in midlife (spoiler alert: Jill says no).  Thank you for listening! Follow along on: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/packingparkingpanicking/]  Email us at: marissathebeginner@gmail.com if you have an activity you'd like us to highlight in future seasons! Music by Epidemic Sound

Ivana Bajic: Surfing's Hyper-fixation on High Performance and Big Names

Our guest today is Los Angeles–based multimedia producer and surfer Ivana Bajic. Ivana's work merges art, technology, and impact storytelling. As the author and producer of Nature of Surf Women—an interactive coffee-table book—she explores how surfing fosters transformation, community, and women’s deep connection to the natural world. She is currently developing Oceanized, a documentary focused on surf-therapy and ocean-based healing. Join us as we explore the multifaceted world of surfing, particularly focusing on the experiences of women in the sport. As always, we discuss the challenges of starting new activities in midlife, but also the importance of community and joy in surfing, and how these experiences can serve as a form of therapy. Ivana shares her insights on redefining the narrative around surfing, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and the celebration of non-professional, non-celebrity female stories. The discussion also touches on personal growth, resilience, and the journey of learning new skills, such as kitesurfing, as a way to embrace life's challenges. Thank you for listening! Follow along on: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/packingparkingpanicking/]  Email us at: marissathebeginner@gmail.com if you have an activity you'd like us to highlight in future seasons! Music by Epidemic Sound

Zehra Allibhai: Strength Training's Myths of Flawless Beginnings and Quick Fixes

Our guest today is cookbook author, wellness content creator, and personal trainer Zehra Allibhai [https://www.instagram.com/zallibhai/].  Zehra is a content creator, certified fitness expert, food enthusiast, and proud mom of two. For over a decade, she has been inspiring her audience with her passion for simple, effective workouts, family-friendly recipes, and everyday wellness tips. Zehra shares her love for movement, nourishing meals, home life, and travel—all with a relatable and encouraging voice that makes healthy living feel accessible. She’s the author of a published cookbook and enjoys connecting with her vibrant online community, offering practical advice and real-life glimpses into motherhood, fitness, and family adventures. Whether it’s sharing skincare favourites, travel finds, or helpful fitness routines, Zehra’s goal is always the same: to help women feel strong, energized, and confident in their everyday lives. Join Zehra and I today as we talk about strength training. Why are people getting into it in mid-life? Why does it seem like such a heavy lift (see what I did there)? In what ways is the internet misleading us about wellness?  Thank you for listening! Follow along on: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/packingparkingpanicking/]  Email us at: marissathebeginner@gmail.com if you have an activity you'd like us to highlight in future seasons! Music by Epidemic Sound

Varun Khetan: Camping's Scrambling for Reservations, Gear Mysteries, and That Feeling of Constant Dirtyness

Today we talk about camping with an actual Boy Scout.  Varun Khetan [https://www.instagram.com/settlerofkhetan/] is a father, doctor, outdoor enthusiast, and, yes, Marissa’s husband. He grew up in Southern California with ample opportunity to camp in all kinds of settings. The Boy Scouts of America, through the process of obtaining an Eagle Scout award, taught him the skills, fortitude, and desire to be comfortable in the wild and his friend group  reinforced those values. He's excited to be sharing those thoughts and skills with you.  Join us as we chat about the little things that, added together, can make starting camping in mid-life feel insurmountable.  *Varun also wants me to note the questionable math around his statement that if you go camping and you wouldn't have otherwise, you're still doing "100% more camping" than before.  Thank you for listening! Follow along on: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/packingparkingpanicking/]  Email us at: marissathebeginner@gmail.com if you have an activity you'd like us to highlight in future seasons! Music by Epidemic Sound

Kate Bridal on Content Creation's Demands: Multiple Attempts, Out-of-Your-League Outreach, and SO MUCH EDITING

This week we talk about content creation and podcasting, something many millennials find themselves dabbling in for the first time (including myself).  Our guest is Kate Bridal. Kate is a former attorney (and one of my past coworkers!) and current content creator, writer, and actress. After going to drama school at 19 and then taking a winding path through law school, she found content creation in her 30s, and now writes, acts in, and edits her own content on a regular basis. She's independently created and produced two podcasts: The Legal Burnouts, [https://www.thelegalburnouts.com/] about the issue of burnout in the legal industry, and Now It's Ruined [https://www.patreon.com/cw/nowitsruined], which ruins everyday things with dark facts about them. She's also the creator of the social media sketch series Living With Lecter, where she pretends to be in a relationship with Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham. You can find her on TikTok and Instagram @bridalpartyof5 [https://www.instagram.com/bridalpartyof5/]. Join us as we talk about the boring parts of content creation (basically everything but the actual recording itself) and what can really stymie a beginner.  Thank you for listening! Follow along on: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/packingparkingpanicking/]  Email us at: marissathebeginner@gmail.com if you have an activity you'd like us to highlight in future seasons! Music by Epidemic Sound