3 Cocktails In

The Final Episode: Reflections on Our Podcast Journey

Three friends raise their red mocktails in a bittersweet toast as they announce their final podcast episode after nearly two years of weekly recordings. What began as pandemic-era Zoom calls evolved into a journey that pushed them far beyond their comfort zones, teaching them valuable lessons about technology, friendship, and embracing change. "When you let something go, it doesn't mean it was a failure. It means it was accomplished," one host reflects, capturing the spirit of this farewell conversation. The trio looks back at favorite moments – from interviewing reluctant but ultimately enthusiastic guests to documenting their adventures in Paris, Florence, and Venice despite minimal language skills. They reminisce about episodes that resonated most with listeners, including discussions about making new friends in midlife, career transitions, and personal growth. Throughout their podcasting journey, these women navigated significant life changes together. One returned to a relationship after five years apart, another received news of becoming a grandmother, and all three made career shifts that transformed their daily lives. One host shares how she finally established a consistent exercise routine after leaving her corporate job, noting that sometimes we need decompression periods before we can move forward: "It just wasn't time yet... but then, all of a sudden, it was time." As they transition back to private weekly Zoom calls – "scheduling friendship" as they call it – the hosts express gratitude to their loyal listeners and leave the door open for possible "special edition" episodes for major life announcements. Their parting wisdom: "Do the thing and surround yourself with people who will cheer you on" and "Pour your energies into the good things that you want to happen." Want more inspiration for embracing change and stepping outside your comfort zone? Follow our Facebook page, where the conversation continues even as this chapter closes. Amy, Kitty & Stacey P.S. Isn't our intro music great?! Yah, we think so too. Thank you, Ivy States for "I Got That Wow".

Italy Uncorked: Amy & Stacey Navigate Heat, History, and Hidden Gems

Two friends, two carry-ons, and one unforgettable Italian adventure! Amy and Stacey take us along on their summer journey through Florence, Venice, and beyond, sharing candid insights that will inspire even hesitant travelers to pack their bags. Their contrasting travel styles create the perfect balance – Stacey embraces the "we've never been there so how do we know it's not great?" philosophy while Amy researches options meticulously. This partnership leads them to unique accommodations including an art-filled Florentine apartment where royal family portraits hang in bathrooms and an unexpected boxing match unfolds outside their window. The duo navigates Italy's efficient train system between cities, discovering the charm of Murano island with its legendary glass blowing traditions and comically tiny showers where "if you drop the soap, you have to turn everything off and open the door to retrieve it." They explore Florence's historic wine doors from a vintage VW van, tour Chianti vineyards with fascinating backstories, and battle 99-degree heat that transforms museum visits into endurance challenges. What makes this episode particularly valuable is their practical wisdom for everyday travelers. They debunk common fears about language barriers, demonstrate how to pack efficiently for extended international trips, and show that meaningful travel doesn't require expertise – just willingness to embrace new experiences. Their genuine enthusiasm for discovery comes through in every story, from hunting perfect Murano glass souvenirs to sipping Negronis (despite finding them "awful") and shipping home Italian wines. Have you been putting off international travel? Listen as these friends prove that with minimal planning, reasonable budgets, and open minds, unforgettable adventures await. Where will your next journey take you? Amy, Kitty & Stacey P.S. Isn't our intro music great?! Yah, we think so too. Thank you, Ivy States for "I Got That Wow".

Lottery Dreams: What Would You Do With $200 Million?

What would you do with $200 million? It's the ultimate daydream – one that reveals surprising truths about our values, relationships, and what we find most burdensome in daily life. We discovered that fantasizing about lottery winnings can actually be therapeutic. As one host explains, imagining how she'd distribute newfound wealth helps pull her out of bad moods. It's pure fantasy without the disappointment of reality crashing in. Beyond the expected luxuries (dream homes with pools and personal chefs), the conversation takes thoughtful turns. They debate the wisdom of lump sum versus annuity payments, strategies for gifting money to family without creating dependency or resentment, and how to maintain friendships when sudden wealth creates imbalance. One particularly clever idea: creating a "girlfriend travel fund" ensuring annual trips with friends who might not otherwise be able to afford them. What's most revealing are their charitable priorities. Libraries with banned books included, funds ensuring no child misses a school field trip due to family finances, and endowments that continue giving perpetually. These choices reflect deeply held values about education, opportunity, and equity. Curiously absent from their wish lists: fancy cars, designer clothes, and ostentatious displays of wealth. Instead, their desires center around freedom from daily burdens, meaningful experiences, and positive impact. As one host notes, the chances of winning are infinitesimal – "you're more likely to die in a vending machine accident" – but that doesn't diminish the pleasure of the thought experiment. What would YOUR lottery list reveal about what matters most to you? Share your thoughts and join us for this delightful conversation that's less about money and more about examining what we truly value. Amy, Kitty & Stacey P.S. Isn't our intro music great?! Yah, we think so too. Thank you, Ivy States for "I Got That Wow".

Pickleball, Pride, and Pursuing New Connections: The Friendship Project Continues

The journey to forge meaningful adult friendships continues as we check in on month four of our year-long Friendship Project. Overcoming the inertia of social isolation takes creativity, courage, and sometimes just a flat driveway and some pickleball paddles! Stacey shares her brilliant success story of inviting six neighbor women for casual pickleball games, creating a regular gathering where the breaks have become everyone's favorite part. "The best part is when we sit in my lawn chairs, chat, and then finally one of us will say, 'We have to get up and play some more,'" she explains. This organic approach to deepening casual relationships has created consistent social connections that everyone looks forward to. Meanwhile, Amy describes her strategy of making "micro-connections" through thoughtful social media engagement, discovering how these small touchpoints can blossom into rekindled friendships. Kitty reveals how she's leveraging professional online groups to create relationships that will transition to in-person connections at an upcoming convention. Looking ahead to month five, we outline practical next steps for strengthening these budding friendships, including follow-up texts, transitioning group acquaintances into deeper one-on-one relationships, and attending community events with a new mindset. As Kitty reflects on an upcoming concert, "I don't give a crap if we're going with somebody or meeting somebody up there. I just want to go, just the two of us, and who knows who we'll run into?" Join us to learn how small, intentional actions can break through social barriers and create meaningful connections in adulthood. What friendship-building strategy might work for you? Listen, try something new, and let us know how it goes! Amy, Kitty & Stacey P.S. Isn't our intro music great?! Yah, we think so too. Thank you, Ivy States for "I Got That Wow".

Forgiveness Isn't Forgetting. It's Freedom!

Ever held onto a grudge only to realize it was weighing you down more than the person who hurt you? In this illuminating conversation with our friend Deanna, a certified faith-based counselor, we unpack what forgiveness truly means and why it's critical for our emotional health. Forgiveness isn't about pretending nothing happened. As Deanna explains, it's making "a commitment to no longer hold the offender to a standard of moral liability before you." In other words, it's letting them off YOUR hook of justice – not eliminating consequences altogether. This distinction completely changed our understanding of what it means to forgive. The cost of unforgiveness is steep. Deanna walks us through the emotional ladder we climb when we refuse to forgive: from hurt to anger to resentment to bitterness and finally to hatred. Meanwhile, the person who wronged us is often "tripping through the tulips," completely unaffected by our internal turmoil. When we grasp this reality, forgiveness becomes an act of self-liberation rather than a gift to the offender. We tackle tough questions you've probably wrestled with: Should we forgive people who don't think they've done anything wrong? Is "forgive and forget" actually possible? How do you forgive someone who's no longer in your life? And how does setting boundaries play into the forgiveness process? Deanna's insights on these questions are both practical and profound. Whether you're struggling to forgive someone who deeply hurt you, wondering if you should reconcile after betrayal, or simply curious about what healthy forgiveness really looks like, this conversation offers a roadmap for moving forward. As Deanna reminds us, "Forgiveness is worth it. Forgiveness is necessary. All relationships flourish with it." Amy, Kitty & Stacey P.S. Isn't our intro music great?! Yah, we think so too. Thank you, Ivy States for "I Got That Wow".