The Paula Faris Show

We've spent 18 years preparing our kids to leave home. But who prepared US, the parents, for what happens when they actually do?

In Episode 2 of our month of conversations about COLLEGE, I'm back with Harlan Cohen, best-selling author and college expert, talking about one of the hardest parts of parenting college kids: letting go and parenting from a distance.

I’ll be honest, this transition has rocked me. I thought I was prepared when my daughter Caroline left for college. I was not. The emotional adjustment has been so much harder than I anticipated.

...

I’m kicking off a month of conversations about COLLEGE with Harlan Cohen, best-selling author and college expert. 

We're talking about everything from admissions and finding the right fit to letting go, parenting from a distance, and navigating the holidays when your college kids come home.

In Episode 1: What if getting your kid into the “right” college isn’t actually the goal?

The college admissions process is wildly out of control. And it can turn even the most levelheaded parents into monsters… I felt it firsthand with my daughter, Caroline. 

Harlan...

We all have people we love who make choices we wouldn’t make. And often, our instinct is to step in to warn, fix, protect, or even save them from themselves.

But where’s the line between loving someone well and trying to control the outcome?

In the final episode of my month-long series about CONTROL with my good friend, NYT bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst, we’re talking about spouses, kids, adult children, parents and what happens when the people we love don’t do what we think they should. (Frustrating, right?) 

We...

We all say the same thing: “I’m just trying to help.” 

But what if sometimes our helping is actually controlling? (slowly raising my hand, here) 

In Episode 3 of my month-long series about CONTROL with my good friend, NYT bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst, we’re putting this whole responsibility-vs.-control question to the test. I throw real-life scenarios at Lysa, from checking Find My Friends and reminding your kids about deadlines to researching literally everything you can to keep your family healthy, and she has to decide: responsible or controlling?

We...

If I don’t do it, it won’t get done.

Sound familiar?

In Episode 2 of my month-long series about CONTROL with my good friend, NYT bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst, we’re talking about the crushing weight so many women carry: the belief that everything depends on us.

Do our families even realize how much we’re carrying? And have we inadvertently trained them to expect us to carry it?

We talk about the invisible labor of motherhood, our sky-high standards, and why we sometimes put in high effort for low impact. ...

Am I a control freak? Absolutely. 😂 But here’s the question I wanted to talk about with my good friend, NYT bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst: Aren’t we ALL a little bit controlling? And is control actually a bad thing?

All month long, we’re talking about control and how it shows up in our lives, especially as women.  Because the constant need for control wreaks havoc on our bodies, our social health, and our relationships (hello, just wrapped that series!). Lysa just wrote another best-selling book about it. 

To kick off this series, we’re talking ab...

When do you fight for a friendship and when do you walk away?

For the finale of our series on social health, Liz Bohannon and I are putting on our Dear Abby hats and tackling the friendship questions you sent us: conflict, exclusion, betrayal, gossip, growing apart, toxic friendships, and the heartbreak of losing someone you've loved for years.

What if you've simply outgrown your friend group? What if one misunderstanding threatens to end a friendship? What do you do when you feel left out—or when a friend seems to be pu...

Why do our circles tend to get smaller as we get older?

You told us your struggles about moving and finding yourself far away from the people you love. About how much harder it is to make new friends. About feeling excluded. And about the surprisingly complicated question of what happens when you love your friend but don't love their kids.

So in Episode 4 of our series on social health, Liz Bohannon and I are tackling a question so many of you asked: Why does friendship get harder as we get older? And how many...

“I just can’t find my people.”

We heard some version of that over and over from you. Maybe you’ve moved. Maybe your closest friends live across the country. Maybe you have plenty of people around you, but still don’t have the kind of deep, vulnerable friendships you’re craving.

So in Episode 3 of our series on social health, Liz Bohannon and I get very specific about how you actually find your people and what might be holding you back.

Liz argues that if we want richer friendships, we have to get a little...

Why am I always the one reaching out?”

That was hands down, by far the biggest complaint we heard from you when we asked about friendship. The texts that go unanswered. The friends who say, “We need to get together!” but never actually make a plan. The feeling that if you stopped reaching out, the friendship might just… disappear.

So in Episode 2 of our series on social health, Liz Bohannon and I are tackling reciprocity and asking a complicated question: Do friendships actually need to be 50/50?

Wh...

What if one of the most important things you can do for your health has nothing to do with what you eat, how much you exercise, or how many hours you sleep?

It might be your relationships.

I'm kicking off a month-long series on social health with my friend Liz Bohannon, and we're starting with the big question: Why do we treat friendship and connection like an optional extra, a “bonus”, when research suggests they're one of the strongest predictors of how long and how well we live?

I pulled an audible this week, and I'm so glad I did.

My hubby John was supposed to join me for another episode about sending our daughter off to college. Instead, he went golfing (on a 90-degree day, no less), so I called one of my closest friends, Michelle, and asked her to jump on the podcast with about an hour's notice. 

You’ll love Michelle! She’s a preschool teacher, a mom of three, and a fellow mom navigating that strange middle season of parenting: one kid out of the house, two still at home...

Well…we dropped Caroline off at college. And I’m not gonna lie…. it’s been a week.

I knew I would be emotional. I just didn’t realize how emotional I’d be after we left. The actual drop-off was surprisingly easy. But then you come home, walk past their empty bedroom, smell their pajamas because they still smell like them (yes, I did that), and it hits you: this chapter of childhood is over.

This week, John and I are talking about what it’s really been like: the pride, the sadness, the excitement and...

As we drop off our oldest child at college this week, we’re having the conversation every family eventually faces. People try to prepare you for this moment. They really do. But I don’t think anything truly prepares you for letting go.

And I want to be honest…we’re not coming at this from a place of having all the answers.

This week, my husband John, our daughter Caroline, and I talk through what this transition actually feels like from both sides. Caroline tells us what she needs from us as parents (it’s probably...

I'm back after my annual July hiatus, and we've got a lot to catch up on. John is turning 50, we checked Europe off our family's bucket list, and I'm finally learning to play golf (I am still terrible LOL). 

But let's be honest: as much as we love summer and our kids by August, we're ready for the routine that school brings. We're talking about birthdays, bucket-list memories, why golf might be the best family sport you've never considered, and how we’re gearing up to launch our oldest to college. 

Life Happens. Let’s Talk A...

Youth sports are out of control. And the worst part? We might be part of the problem.

Spoiler alert: I know I am. I’m the mom with a packed sports calendar, a trunk full of Chick-fil-A, and a competitive streak that sometimes gets the best of me. Guilty as charged.

I’m also a coach's wife, so this topic hits close to home. 

We’re closing out Momfessions, our month-long series where we’ve said the quiet parts of parenting out loud. And for our final confessio...

We’re back with a Momfessions confession that might hit close to home: are we accidentally raising sons who expect too much from women? 

I’m joined by my teammate at CARRY Media, Kristen White, a mom of three boys, for a candid conversation about the messages our sons absorb about work, caregiving, and what they should expect from a future partner.

Oof. We’re going there.

Between the two of us, we’re raising five boys, and this conversation has been brewing in my mind for years: Are we raising sons who expect a...

I’ve always said: boys are a heart attack and girls are a heartache. And if you’ve ever rushed a son to the ER or helped your daughter navigate friendship drama, you probably know exactly what I mean

We’re back with Momfessions–our month-long series, talking about how we really feel about some of parenting's biggest, hottest topics. And I’m joined by my teammate at CARRY Media, Kristen White, a mom to three boys. 

This week: Why We Raise Boys and Girls Differently (Without Even Realizing It)

It got me thinking: a...

We’re back with Momfessions–—our month-long series, talking about how we really feel about some of parenting's biggest, hottest topics. And I’m joined by my teammate at CARRY Media, Kristen White, a mom to three boys. 

This week: Why Summer Isn't a Break.

We spend all year dreaming about summer, but when it finally arrives, many of us are juggling childcare, camps, schedules, work, guilt, and the pressure to make it all feel magical. 

In this episode, we're sharing our real thoughts about summ...

All month long, Kristen White and I are sharing our Momfessions – how we really feel about some of parenting’s biggest, messiest, most talked-about topics.

Kristen is my teammate at CARRY Media and a boy mom to three boys, so trust me: we have thoughts.

First up: Maycember.

You know…the month we just survived. But barely. 

It’s the month that feels like December-level chaos but delivers exactly none of the holiday magic. Concerts. Field days. Teacher gifts. Sports banquets. Spirit weeks. Summer planning. Working...

I knew this would be emotional. 

I just didn’t realize it would be this hard.

In the final episode of my I Wish Someone Had Told Me series, I’m sitting down with Niro Feliciano—a mom of four who’s already been through this—to talk about my daughter’s graduation…and honestly, I’m a hot mess.

People can try to explain what the moment is like, but until you’re in it, it’s hard to fully comprehend.

Someone once described it as “grief wrapped in celebration,” and honestly, that’s the...

There was a season not long ago when I didn’t feel like myself at all. Overwhelmed. Emotional. In a really dark place.

No one really prepares you for this part.

Perimenopause isn’t just hot flashes and mood swings; it can quietly impact your mental health in ways you don’t expect.

Even though I could point to many of the reasons… I wasn’t at all prepared for how deeply it would affect me.

In this episode, I’m opening up about that season, and I’m joined by my friend, psy...

We tell our kids to get off their phones…But, um, if we’re honest, we’re often the worst offenders. 🤭

So how do we actually build healthy, sustainable phone habits that work in real life?

In part two of my I Wish Someone Had Told Me series, I’m back with psychotherapist Niro Feliciano, and we’re not just naming the problem—we’re talking about how to fix it.

We talk about:

Why adults actually have the worst phone habits

The surprising stat about Gen Z that might give you ho...

There’s a shift happening.

For the first time, we’re seeing legal accountability for social media companies, growing cultural pushback on screen time, and even the return of something we thought was gone for good—the landline! 

All of it pointing to one question: what are phones actually doing to our kids?

We gave them for all the right reasons: safety, connection, convenience.But we know more now than we did then.

And if we’re honest… we might have done things differently.

In the first episode of my I Wish S...

Let’s answer the questions everyone asks about the Enneagram:

Can your type change? Why do your results keep changing? What if you relate to more than one type?

We’re wrapping up our month-long series with Enneagram expert and author Ian Morgan Cron by getting clear on what actually matters about the Enneagram.

This isn’t about traits. It’s about motivation: why you do what you do.

We get into mistypes, bad tests, and why you can’t outsource this to a quiz and call it done.

There’s no...

You’re not fighting about what you think you’re fighting about.

We’re continuing our month-long Enneagram series with Ian Morgan Cron, and this one hits close to home.

When it comes to Enneagram types, there are no bad pairings, but there are patterns that quietly wear relationships down.

What if the tension in your marriage isn’t personal? What if it’s predictable?

Using the Enneagram as a parenting tool can help…or hurt.

When do you introduce it? How do you use it without labeling your kids too ear...

We’re continuing our month-long Enneagram series with Ian Morgan Cron and getting into what most people miss.

What does “healthy” actually look like? And what does it look like when you’re off, and everyone else can see it before you do?

Every type has a pattern, a tell, a default that feels right…until it starts working against you.

Underneath each of those patterns is the same lie: When I finally get this, I’ll be okay.

Knowing your number isn’t the work. Seeing your patterns and choosing differently is...

We’re kicking off a month-long series on the Enneagram, and we’re starting with the basics.

I’ll be honest: I was skeptical at first. But after seeing how it’s transformed my own self-awareness and relationships, I’m convinced it’s one of the most powerful personality tools out there.

I’m sitting down with author and Enneagram expert Ian Morgan Cron to break it all down.

This isn’t just another personality test. The Enneagram reveals the why behind your behavior: your unconscious motivations that drive how you think, act, and show up in y...

The endless tasks at home aren’t small—they’re the hidden strain on most relationships, quietly building stress, frustration, and resentment. 

It’s no secret that women often shoulder the majority of invisible work, from meal planning to school schedules to household upkeep, while trying to juggle careers and parenting.

In honor of Women’s History Month, I’m talking about things that matter to women—and this is at the top of the list. 

Eve Rodsky, creator of Fair Play, joins me to explain how to break the cycle of overwhelm, take full owners...

Being equal partners isn’t just a nice idea—it’s how marriage and family actually work.

John and I share what it took to get here: putting careers, expectations, and traditional roles on the table, figuring out who owns what at home, and finally treating each other like true teammates.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we talk about what equal partnership really looks like, why it matters for women and families, and how it changes the way you show up—for your spouse, your kids, and yourself.

Life Happe...

Life has a way of catching up with you.

I’ve lost both of my parents. And last year, after the loss of my mom, I found myself in a really dark place. I was still showing up for life—but underneath it all, something wasn’t right. John (my husband) was the one who finally said it: it might be time to talk to someone.

So I did.

In this conversation, John and I  talk about why I went to therapy, the stigma that still surrounds it, and...

GLP-1s—Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound—are everywhere right now. And so is the debate. Some people call it a breakthrough. Others say it’s cheating.

So let’s talk about it.

In this episode, I’m sharing my personal experience taking a GLP-1 as a 50-year-old woman navigating perimenopause, inflammation, and a body that suddenly stopped responding to all the things that used to work.

My CARRY Media colleague Kristen White joins me to ask the questions so many women are asking privately: What are the side effects? Does it actually work? And what happe...

Welcome to "The Paula Faris Show", where life happens, so let’s talk about it!

Join Emmy-award-winning journalist Paula Faris as she brings you candid conversations to help you live your best life. From personal journeys to societal issues, Paula talks to guests from all walks of life.

Tune in to explore the unfiltered truths, inspiring moments, and thought-provoking discussions that make us human.

It's time to dig deep, laugh, cry, and most importantly, let's talk about it.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This conversation hit me hard — because of the loneliness so many women quietly carry? It’s real. And you are not alone.

The month of March is Women’s History Month, and we’re talking about what truly matters to women. Friendship is at the top of that list.

In this conversation with author Jennie Allen, we unpack why so many of us have plenty of acquaintances but still feel deeply disconnected. The research is clear: meaningful friendship isn’t optional — it’s essential to our mental, emotional, and physical health.

We talk about why we’v...

This is the practical episode. Now it’s time to take everything we’ve learned in this series with Dr. Chapman—and actually use it.

After breaking down what the love languages are (and what they aren’t), Dr. Gary Chapman joins me and John in the final conversation of our Love Languages series, to show us how to put them into practice in real life. 

We’ll break down what he calls the dialects of each love language—the specific ways love is expressed, received, and often misunderstood. Because knowing the language isn’t enough if you’r...

Sex. Almost every man will say it’s their love language.

But Dr. Gary Chapman—the expert behind The Five Love Languages—explains why that’s not quite right, and makes a crucial distinction between physical desire and emotional connection.

John and I dig into what this really means for intimacy, unpacking the science behind male vs. female sexual needs and why understanding your partner’s love language can change everything. 

We also explore how love languages show up in parenting—and how to recognize them in your kids.

⚠️Warning: we go there. Sex, ch...

You can be doing all the “right” things—and still missing each other.

In part two of our month-long series on The Five Love Languages, we dive into Dr. Chapman’s newest book, The Love Language That Matters Most—what he calls the masterclass on love languages, to explore why good intentions miss the mark. 

We dig into the gap between intention and impact—and why so many relationships feel stuck despite trying harder

Also, John and I take the premium assessment, and our results genuinely shock us—we did not see them coming. 

Thirty years after The Five Love Languages reshaped how we talk about relationships, Dr. Gary Chapman joins John and me to revisit the core question that matters most: Do the people you love actually feel loved?

This episode kicks off our month-long series with Dr. Chapman—a deep dive into the love languages that becomes a master class in how we give and receive love.

We unpack the five love languages, the idea of the “love tank,” and why good intentions aren’t enough. This episode sets the foundation for the entire series and reframes how we thin...

We want to protect our kids from the awkwardness, heartbreak, and intensity of teen dating. But what if avoiding it altogether is actually doing more harm than good?

In this episode, I’m joined by therapists Sissy Goff and David Thomas to make a compelling case for why healthy, age-appropriate dating is necessary—not optional—for emotional and relational development.

We talk about dating as skill development: learning how to communicate, set boundaries, handle rejection, pace relationships, and maintain a sense of self. These are skills kids don’t magically acquire in adulthood—and when dating is...

The teen mental health crisis can no longer be ignored. Anxiety, depression, attention issues, and suicidal ideation are rising—and the science is increasingly clear about the role screens are playing in reshaping our kids’ brains.

As we continue to revisit our most talked-about conversations from 2025, this remains one of the most shared and downloaded.

In this episode, I’m joined by Sissy Goff, therapist and Executive Director of Daystar Counseling, and Niro Feliciano, cognitive psychotherapist, wife, and mom of four. Together, we break down how technology and algorithms hijack neurochemistry, create unhealthy dopamine cycles, and im...