That's Fun

Summer Is Coming! And We’re Winging It!

Nikki and Damaris kick things off with birthday stories, thoughtful gifts, and a surprisingly moving conversation about what it means to receive love gracefully. From a server who ran to Walgreens for a Tide pen to the awkward beauty of saying “you are welcome,” they unpack why accepting kindness can feel just as vulnerable as offering it. Then they turn to Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer. They talk about honoring the deeper meaning of the holiday, the pressure to make magical summer memories, and the very real exhaustion of trying to coordinate camps, reunions, beach trips, and family plans when you’re already running on empty. Along the way, they make a case for lowering the bar just enough to enjoy yourself: maybe it’s a local day trip, maybe it’s a week of boredom for the kids, maybe it’s admitting you’re doing your best and that has to be enough. Because sometimes the most fun summer plan is giving yourself permission to stop trying to do it all.

Put It on the Calendar: A Little Structure, A Lot More Fun

Always meaning to plan the trip, sign up for the yoga class, or finally put something fun on the calendar...and then somehow never getting around to it? This week, Nikki and Damaris tackle a topic that may not sound exciting at first: structure. But as they’ve both come to realize, a little more routine can actually be the thing that makes life feel lighter, calmer, and a whole lot more fun. They unpack how growing up in big, loosely organized families shaped their relationship with planning, why spontaneity doesn’t always lead to the adventures we imagine, and how simple rituals can bring more connection and joy into everyday life. Nikki shares how creating a more structured schedule around work, workouts, and family time has helped her feel less overwhelmed and more fulfilled, while Damaris reflects on the role of discipline, trust, and learning to follow through on the promises we make to ourselves. And finally, they make the case for treating fun like any other priority: if it matters to you, put it on the calendar.

Rogaine, Rescue Dogs, and Trying Our Best

Nikki and Damaris catch up on the little things they’ve been trying lately in the name of feeling better, having more fun, and making life feel just a bit more manageable. They talk hair, skin, aging, and the beauty things women don’t always say out loud—from Nikki’s Rogaine update to Damaris’s Sculptra experience, including the parts that worked, the parts that hurt, and the very real question of where “natural” ends and “I would like my face to feel less crepey” begins. They also get into Nikki’s new life motto, and Damaris shares the latest on Midnight, her very sweet foster dog, and how even the hardest, most inconvenient things can sometimes nudge us toward tiny bits of joy. More walks. More backyard sitting. More reminders that life can be both a lot and still kind of lovely.

The Solo Trip: Dream Vacation or Low-Key Meltdown?

Nikki and Damaris talk about the solo trip: why adults don’t take them more often, why they sound both dreamy and mildly depressing, and what happens when you carve out time that is truly just for you. They get into the difference between traveling alone for work and choosing a trip for yourself, whether solo travel is relaxing, lonely, boring, freeing—or all of the above—and why a little discomfort might be part of the point. They also talk about the people who really know us, the ways we show up differently with partners, friends, and family, and why spending time alone might help us remember who we are when no one else is weighing in. And finally, they imagine what their own solo trips would look like: beach days, road trips, quirky off-the-beaten path stays, long drives, phone calls, silence, snacks, and maybe a hobbit house if the timing is right. Because maybe a solo trip is about finding out what kind of fun belongs only to you.

Is Starting a Small Business Fun (or Just More Work)?

Starting a business from your kitchen table, turning a passion into a paycheck, or just craving something that feels a little more you… This week, Nikki and Damaris talk about the kinds of businesses that don’t always start with investors, a five-year plan, or dreams of empire-building. Sometimes it’s just a skill you love, a creative itch you need to scratch, or a quiet feeling that you want more purpose, connection, and fun in your everyday life. They get into what this really looks like in practice: side hustles born from passion, the weird pressure to “pick one thing,” and how many of us are actually built for more than one path. From watercolor portraits at parties to muffins, supper clubs, and this very podcast, they unpack what happens when your work starts reflecting who you are. They also get honest about money, growth, and the trap of assuming every business has to get bigger to be successful. What if a business is allowed to stay small? What if success looks less like scaling fast—and more like community, creativity, flexibility, and building something that fits your life?