In this episode of Wonder in the Weeds, I sit down with my daughter, Faith, to talk about the realities of being a woman in the world today. As a therapist and a mother, I started noticing the deep societal conditioning that taught me to constantly read a room and accommodate others to keep the peace. I brought Faith on the show to get her take on this as a 23-year-old navigating the dating world.

We discuss the pressure to fit a specific mold and what happens when you decide to show up as an unapologetic, confident woman. We also explore the struggle to set boundaries without feeling like you are failing, and we take time to rethink what feminism actually means across different generations.

In this episode, we discuss:

* My realization about accommodating men to keep the peace.

* Why taking up space and dominating a conversation can make people uncomfortable.

* Setting boundaries and refusing to engage in toxic arguments.

* Faith's experience with dating and the societal pressure to find a steady partner.

* Our weekly media recommendations, including the books, shows, and music we are loving right now.

Connect with Us:

* Follow Kristy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcritzking/

* Follow Faith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queenofkings912/

* Join our community on Substack: Wonder in the Weeds

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Welcome to Wonder in the Weeds, the show where we talk about how we are living, thriving, and surviving in a world full of constant change, challenge, and grief, and learning how to live and love right in the middle of it all.

Today, the weeds are feeling pretty heavy. We are talking about the sheer exhaustion of just being a woman in the world today. I am raising two daughters, navigating a huge time of transition in my fifties, and watching the news with a completely new set of feminist lenses.

In this episode, I share a story from my high school days about an after-prom party that completely changed my perspective on how women are treated. A male teacher shamed me for a choice my boyfriend made, and looking back, it was a glaring symbol of a lesson I carried for decades: women are expected to make the right choices for men, accommodate their feelings, and take the fall when things go wrong.

But here is where the wonder comes in. I am watching my girls navigate the world, and they take so much less nonsense than I did at their age. They show up authentically, without making themselves small or trying to be "palatable" to fit into a room. Inspired by them, I am unlearning my own conditioning. I am finding incredible joy and power in women-only spaces, from learning golf and pickleball with other women to cheering at sports bars dedicated entirely to female athletes.

There is so much strength when we do things together, and we have every right to take up space.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why your fifties can feel like a total do-over of your teenage years.
• The high school story that opened my eyes to the double standards women face.
• How we are subtly conditioned to make our lives "easier" by accommodating men.
• The "boiling frog" effect of noticing the slow loss of our rights.
• How finding female-only community spaces in sports is bringing me hope and energy to keep fighting the good fight.

Take care of yourselves out there, keep looking for the wonder in the weeds, and I will see you next time!

Are you prepared for the quiet that comes when your kids finally move out? In this episode of the Wonder and the Weeds show, I am opening up about the very real, often unspoken struggles of becoming an empty nester.

It is not just about missing your kids; it is about figuring out your own identity when your day-to-day role as a manager of their schedules disappears.

I am sharing my recent experiences of having my adult kids back home for spring break. I also talk about a frantic gym incident that highlighted my rusty multitasking skills , and the lingering question I keep asking myself: "What is even the point of me now?".

Tune in to hear my thoughts on:

The unexpected grief and loneliness of the empty nest.Why taking care of myself and having fun no longer feels selfish.

Picking up new sports like golf and pickleball to get off social media and connect in real life.

The absolute joy of women's sports and taking my daughters to a packed NCAA basketball tournament.

How your 50s can be a time to meet your 16-year-old self again, but this time with actual love and grace.

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