Ali is joined by her mom (aka Mama J) from their girls trip to Costa Rica for a real, funny, and super practical convo about holiday logistics when you’re dating someone. They start with trip updates (a crab in the hallway, a fully gluten-free resort, and the upcoming “48-hour travel day + cats” marathon), then dive into what listeners said in IG polls about where they’re spending the holidays, when people talk about plans, and what stresses everyone out most.

Ali and Mama J unpack how holiday decisions actually get made, why spending holidays apart isn’t automatically a red flag, and how to communicate with your partner and your family without resentment. They talk about merging traditions, the difference between “the actual day” vs “the feeling,” and why being in your partner’s family space can feel like performing. Plus: a legendary Akavit story, Norwegian Christmas customs, and the surprisingly emotional power of something as small as a stocking with your name on it.

P.S. The two Costa Rica hotels are Occidental Papagayo and Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin

Timestamps: Topic talk begins at around minute 13.

If you'd like to hear our personal updates before everyone else as well as other exclusive content, join The Search Party on Patreon: www.patreon.com/findingmrheight . And, if you want to ask a question, submit a Storytime idea, or have general feedback, you can do it all at www.findingmrheight.com/podcast

Thanks to this week’s partners:

Homeaglow: Head to https://homeaglow.com/mrheight to get your first 3 hours of cleaning for only $19. Thanks so much to Homeaglow for sponsoring this episode!

Bilt Rewards: Take advantage of your Neighborhood Benefits™ by going to joinbilt.com/fmh

Dawn of Chaos and Fury: Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com

Content note for this episode: we talk in detail about menopause, infertility and IVF, chronic pain, medical dismissal, and depression.

This week, Ali is joined by longtime listener Sara, who shares a powerful Storytime about discovering she was essentially in menopause at 36. After years of symptoms like debilitating periods, anxiety, depression, fatigue, Sara finally got answers when fertility testing revealed primary ovarian insufficiency likely caused by endometriosis.

Sara walks us through her journey from “something feels off” to tracking her cycle, being dismissed by multiple providers, finally landing in a fertility clinic where she uncovered what had been happening to her body all along. She opens up about the emotional toll of IVF with very low ovarian reserve, moving to egg donor, navigating failed transfers, and what it has meant for her identity, her mental health, and her marriage.

In Updates, Ali is back in NYC and reflecting on relational skills she’s grown while in a relationship with Skyline.

Where to find Sara: On Instagram @blankplatepod, on TikTok @blankplatepod, at www.blankplatepodcast.com.

Timestamps: Sara joins us at around minute 22.

If you'd like to hear our personal updates before everyone else as well as other exclusive content, join The Search Party on Patreon: www.patreon.com/findingmrheight . And, if you want to ask a question, submit a Storytime idea, or have general feedback, you can do it all at www.findingmrheight.com/podcast

Want to leave us a voice note? Leave a voicemail at 929-888-7184 with your question and we will weigh in!

Thanks to this week’s partners:

Sunset Lake CBD: For 20% off all products, go to sunsetlakecbd.com/FMH and use code FMH20.

Homeaglow: Head to https://homeaglow.com/mrheight to get your first 3 hours of cleaning for only $19. Thanks so much to Homeaglow for sponsoring this episode!

Bilt Rewards: Take advantage of your Neighborhood Benefits™ by going to joinbilt.com/fmh

His Grace the Duke: On sale October 28th and available wherever books are sold.

Dawn of Chaos and Fury: Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com

Katy & Tony are back this week to share their updates from the dating trenches. First, Tony tells us about the guy he’s surprisingly started dating long distance - we unpack mixed signals, hookup-to-date pivots, and how long distance might work better for him.

Then we chat with Katy, whose dating life is serving a completely different flavor of excitement. Think: texting energy, red flags, self-check moments, friends meeting your date, and more. Plus, we send a follow-up text live on the mic!

In Updates, I’m reflecting on my first holiday spent with Skyline’s family (and the first spent away from mine in 20 years).

Timestamps: Katy & Tony joins us at around minute 21.

If you'd like to hear Ali’s personal updates before everyone else as well as other exclusive content, join The Search Party on Patreon: www.patreon.com/findingmrheight . And, if you want to ask a question, submit a Storytime idea, or have general feedback, you can do it all at www.findingmrheight.com/podcast

Thanks to this week’s partners:

Check out Uncommon Goods and use our code FMH for a great deal: www.uncommongoods.com

Homeaglow: Head to https://homeaglow.com/mrheight to get your first 3 hours of cleaning for only $19. Thanks so much to Homeaglow for sponsoring this episode!

Bilt Rewards: Take advantage of your Neighborhood Benefits™ by going to joinbilt.com/fmh

His Grace the Duke: On sale October 28th and available wherever books are sold.

Dawn of Chaos and Fury: Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com