Ep. 33 - Real Stories - Tara and Billy - Gen X, Y & Z in Life, Work and Everything In-Between: Dating Apps, Generational Misconceptions, and Cross-Generational Leadership

Ep 35 - How Building Simple Systems (Not Habits) Can Transform Your Daily Life

EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode, I'm sharing what's been helping me reclaim control over my days: intentional systems. I open up about stepping back from social media, breaking my habit of mindless TV watching, and why I've started thinking about "systems" instead of "habits" or "routines." I walk through real, practical examples from my own life — from setting out my gym clothes the night before to using an if/then approach to link passive behaviors (watching a baseball game) with active ones (walking on the treadmill). If you've been struggling to follow through on the things you say you're going to do, this one's for you. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Systems are more sustainable than willpower — they remove friction from good choices. * Use an if/then framework: "When I do X, I always do Y" programs behavior through environment design. * Prepare the night before — set out clothes, prep your coffee, cue your environment. * Pair sedentary habits with movement (e.g., treadmill while watching TV). * "No" is a complete sentence — protecting your time is an act of self-care. * Social media detox can free up significant mental space and time. FAQs What is the difference between a system and a habit? A habit relies on repetition and willpower. A system is an environmental setup — an if/then trigger — that makes the desired behavior automatic. You design your surroundings so the right action becomes the path of least resistance. How do I build a morning routine I'll actually stick to? Prepare the night before. Set out your clothes, prep your coffee station, and set your alarm. Reduce the number of decisions your morning-self has to make so there's no friction between waking up and doing what you planned. How can I exercise more without adding extra time to my day? Pair movement with something you're already doing. Walking on a treadmill while watching a show, or going to the gym immediately after the school drop-off because the gym is right on the route, are examples of stacking activity into existing windows. Does quitting social media actually help with anxiety and productivity? Many people report that removing social media from their phones — even while keeping access on a laptop for necessary tasks — reduces anxiety, frees up mental bandwidth, and improves focus and output.

Ep. 34 - March Equinox Check-in!: Rituals, Intentions, Aries Season, and a 90-Day Reset

In this episode of the Average 90's Gal Podcast, I celebrate the March Equinox, a powerful moment of equal day and night, and invite you to use this turning point as a fresh start or a 90-day check-in on your intentions. I dive into how the solstices and equinoxes create a natural quarterly rhythm for reflection, reset, and recommitment, whether you began intentions in December, at the New Year, or are starting right now.  I also get into Aries season and the astrological New Year, plus the recent new moon, as cosmic invitations to begin again, refine habits, and realign with who you truly are.  Whether you are in the northern or southern hemisphere, this is a wonderful time to prepare your inner and outer spaces for the season ahead! Join my on Instagram: @merediggitydawg [https://www.instagram.com/merediggitydawg]  KEY TOPICS COVERED * What the March Equinox is and why equal day and night signal a powerful beginning, whether you are entering spring or fall.   * How to use solstices and equinoxes as 90-day check-in points for your goals and intentions.   * Questions to ask yourself about what is working, what is not, and what you want to start, continue, or release.   * Aries season as the start of the astrological New Year and a bold invitation to “let’s go” energy.   * The 90-day habit window and why seasons line up beautifully with sustainable change.   * Using the new moon as an additional reset for intentions and fresh starts.   * Simple equinox rituals: deep cleaning your home, energetic cleansing (like a bath), and preparing your space for the coming season.   * An open invitation to check in again at the June Solstice and see how your intentions have evolved.   SUGGESTED PROMPTS  What intention do you want to revisit or restart this Equinox?   Where are you out of alignment with how you want to move through your day?   What small 90-day habit could you commit to between now and the June Solstice?   How can you energetically and physically “clean” your space to welcome this new season?   SHARE THE EPISODE! If this March Equinox check-in resonated with you, share this episode with a friend who loves astrology, new moons, or fresh starts, and write down one intention you’ll carry through the next 90 days until the June Solstice

Ep. 33 - Real Stories - Tara and Billy - Gen X, Y & Z in Life, Work and Everything In-Between: Dating Apps, Generational Misconceptions, and Cross-Generational Leadership

In this episode of the Average 90"s Gal podcast, Meredith sits down with Billy (millennial) and Tara (Gen Z) to explore what it really feels like to live, work, and date across three generations: Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. They share personal stories from New Jersey childhoods, college paths, grief, and early careers, then dive into modern dating culture, remote work, and how different generations can better understand and support each other. The conversation also touches on wedding season overload, money anxiety, delayed timelines for marriage and kids, and what meaningful work looks like in both nonprofit and corporate environments.   This is a must-listen for managers, HR leaders, and anyone trying to bridge generational gaps at work—or just understand why Gen Z logs off at 5 and why millennials refuse to live only for their jobs. KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Welcome to Average 90's Gal and tech issues disclaimer with Billy’s missing audio segment 02:00 – Why this episode is called “Gen X, Y, Z” and what each generation brings to work and life   03:00 – Billy’s millennial story: divorced parents, grandma’s house as home base, growing up in New Jersey   04:30 – Tara’s Gen Z story: losing her dad to suicide at 14, tight trio with mom and brother, becoming an Eagles fan   06:00 – Tara’s college journey: Holy Cross, psychology and religion, study abroad in Ireland, D.C. policy work on suicide prevention   08:00 – How Meredith, Billy, and Tara met at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and built a cross‑generational team   10:30 – Dating in the app era: Hinge strategy, “gamifying” dating, and how rare “meet cute” stories feel now   13:00 – Situationships, exclusivity without labels, and why so many 20‑somethings feel stuck in the “gray area” of dating   14:30 – Four weddings, three bridal parties, and the cost and exhaustion of modern wedding and bachelorette culture   17:00 – Why many Gen Z women delay marriage and kids: cost of living, career focus, and updated timelines around fertility and family   20:00 – Declining teen pregnancy, fears about “not enough babies,” and the upside of later, more intentional parenthood   22:00 – Biggest misconceptions about Gen Z and millennials: “lazy,” “entitled,” and “only want participation trophies”   23:00 – How COVID shaped Gen Z’s need for community, boundaries, and a life beyond work   24:30 – Why younger workers want to log off at 5—and still be excellent at their jobs   25:00 – Millennials, 9/11, and growing up in economic uncertainty: why they refuse to sacrifice everything for work   26:00 – Helicopter parenting vs. “come back when it’s dark”: how generational parenting styles shifted and what that did to kids   30:00 – Tara’s experience losing a parent, becoming “the adult” early, and how grief shaped her maturity and work ethic   34:00 – What younger workers want from managers: humanity, respect, and not being treated as “beneath” their boss   35:00 – The “respect curve”: older generations believe respect is earned from 0 to 100, younger generations start at 100 and lose it if trust is broken   36:00 – Why meaning matters, even in corporate or tax/audit jobs, not just in nonprofits   38:00 – Why Gen Z often chooses lateral moves for values alignment over promotions in misaligned cultures   41:00 – What made Meredith a great cross‑generational manager (from her former staff’s perspective)   44:00 – Billy’s dream life: a nature‑filled home near the mountains, farmer’s markets, and growing his own food   46:00 – Tara’s dream: a self‑care café that blends food, cocktails, art therapy, mental health space, and community   49:00 – Beach vs. mountains vs. lakes vs. city: ideal places to live and feel grounded   55:00 – Favorite seasons, the magic of snow, and why fall hits differently on the East Coast   56:00 – What the “audience” would yell at them in a movie of their lives: rest more, let go, and choose joy for its own sake   57:00 – Saying no as a full sentence, leaving people‑pleasing behind, and choosing what genuinely fills your cup   59:00 – Celebrating cross‑generational friendships and why they make everyone better   Q: What is this Average 90's Gal episode with Billy and Tara about? A: This episode explores generational differences and similarities between Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z in dating, work, money, and meaning, featuring real stories from Billy and Tara’s lives and careers.   Q: How do Gen Z and millennials really feel about work and work‑life balance? A: They value meaningful work, clear boundaries, and community, and they resist older models that expect them to sacrifice everything for their jobs or “earn” basic respect.   Q: What do Gen Z employees want from their managers? A: They want to be treated as humans, understand the “why” behind their tasks, feel that their work contributes to a larger mission, and have their time and boundaries respected.   Q: How has dating changed for Gen Z and millennials? A: Dating apps dominate the landscape, creating a culture of one‑off dates, “gamified” matching, and gray‑area situationships where people act exclusive without committing to labels.   Q: Why are many younger adults delaying marriage and kids? A: High costs of living, student debt, expensive weddings, and a desire to build careers and self‑knowledge first are all pushing traditional timelines later.   Q: Who should listen to this episode? A: Managers and HR professionals, Gen X leaders, millennial and Gen Z professionals, and anyone curious about bridging generational gaps in dating, friendship, and the workplace.       Join me on IG: @MereDiggityDawg [https://www.instagram.com/merediggitydawg]

Ep. 32 - Reset 2026: How to Use the Year of the Fire Horse as Your Personal New Year Reset

In this episode of Average Nineties Gal Podcast, I invite you to embrace a powerful mid-year reset using the energy of the Chinese New Year's Year of the Fire Horse. Learn practical journaling prompts to release old patterns, identify limiting beliefs, and step fully into the life you want — starting right now. Join me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/merediggitydawg] WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE * Why February and March — not January 1st — may be the most powerful time to start fresh * What the Year of the Fire Horse means and how to channel its energy for bold action * How a spring cleaning mindset applies to your mental, emotional, and physical life * Four powerful journaling prompts to guide your personal reset * Why your physical space (including your car) directly impacts your ability to change * How to pick ONE area of life to reset without overwhelm KEY TAKEAWAYS * You don't need January 1st to start over. Any moment — especially the arrival of spring — is valid. * The Fire Horse energy of 2026 is an invitation to stop stewing and start moving boldly forward. * Your physical environment (home, car, workspace) directly reflects and affects your inner state. * A reset doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Start with one area of life and build momentum from there. * Limiting beliefs have an expiration date. Naming them is the first step to replacing them. * Daily practices — what you add and what you release — are the building blocks of real change. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the Year of the Fire Horse? The Year of the Fire Horse is a cycle in the Chinese lunar calendar associated with boldness, passion, and powerful forward momentum. The host uses it as a symbolic invitation to take action and stop holding back in 2026. Why reset in February or March instead of January? Many cultures and spiritual traditions around the world celebrate their new year in late winter or early spring — aligning with the natural cycle of renewal rather than an arbitrary calendar date. If January 1st didn't spark your fresh start, spring is your second chance. How do I do a personal reset? Start by working through reflective prompts: identify what you're still holding onto, where you need to let go, what limiting beliefs have expired, and what daily practices to begin or release. You don't have to reset every area at once — pick one and start there. Does my physical space really affect my personal growth? Yes — the host is a firm believer that your physical environment, including your home and car, has a direct impact on your ability to change. If your space doesn't reflect where you want to go, spring cleaning it is a powerful first step.   Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who needs a reset, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss what's coming next. 🔥

Ep. 31 - When the World is on Fire: Light Up Your Soul, Protect Your Energy, and Change Your World From Within

EPISODE DESCRIPTION  In this solo episode, I talk about what to do when it feels like the world is on fire and life just will not let up. Your feelings of anger, fear, sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness are valid—but letting the outside world dictate your inner world is optional. You’ll learn how to shift your energy, stop doomscrolling, and show up as your best self for your home, your community, and the wider world. This episode is for anyone who’s feeling weighed down by the news and social media, especially here in the United States. Join me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/merediggitydawg] Q&A  What is this episode about? This episode is about how to stop letting external chaos—news, social media, and personal challenges—control your mood, and how to consciously choose and radiate your own energy instead.   Who is this episode for? This conversation is for anyone who feels overwhelmed, hopeless, or stuck in doomscrolling, but still wants to believe that things can get better and that their presence matters.   What will I learn? You’ll learn a simple self check‑in before you walk out the door or join a meeting, how to notice the energy you bring into your home and community, and how to experiment with radiating versus shutting down your energy.   What practical steps can I take after listening? You can: reduce doomscrolling and constant news intake, choose one joy‑giving activity (like exercise, sauna, art, writing, or singing), practice radiating from your inner center in public spaces, and repeat the affirmation “things are going to get better” morning and night.   How does this help my community? By shifting your own energy, you change how you interact with people in your home, your neighborhood, and your local community, creating a ripple effect of better moods, more connection, and small but real change.