In this episode of Midlife Mess, Lara dives into one of the most nuanced and emotionally charged conversations of our time: the dynamic between men and women.

Is it strained? Yes.
Is it hopeless? Absolutely not.

Lara believes we’re actually closer than ever to something healthier — but growth always comes with friction.

From Travis and Taylor (yes, we’re going there) to the “wives submit…” Bible verse that’s rarely quoted in full, to pregnancy, physical vulnerability, masculine and feminine energy, and the male loneliness epidemic — this episode is an honest, bridge-building conversation meant to bring men and women closer together, not push them further apart.

This is not an anti-man episode.
It’s a pro-relationship, pro-respect, pro-understanding episode.

Forward this one to your husband, boyfriend, brother, dad, or male friends. This is a conversation worth having together.

In this episode of The Midlife Mess, Lara explores the idea that we only fall in love three times—and why that framework can be incredibly freeing in midlife.

Inspired by You Only Fall in Love Three Times by Kate Rose, this episode breaks down soulmate love, karmic love, and twin flame love, and how each relationship serves a purpose rather than representing a failure.

Through personal reflection and real-life examples, Lara reframes past relationships as lessons that build toward emotional awareness, boundaries, and readiness for calm, consistent love.

If you’re single, healing, dating again, or wondering whether you missed your chance, this episode offers reassurance: you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Love isn’t something we fail at—it’s something we evolve through.

In this bonus (no production, just talking) follow-up episode, Lara returns to a heavy but necessary conversation—one rooted not in politics, but in humanity, balance, and the often-silent majority living somewhere in the middle.

Sparked by a recent, deeply troubling incident involving ICE and a protester’s death, this episode is not about choosing sides. It’s about questioning fear-based narratives, calling out extremes, and reminding ourselves that most people are far more reasonable—and compassionate—than the loudest voices suggest.

Lara reflects on why extreme viewpoints dominate public discourse, how fear is used as a motivator, and why the center often feels drowned out. Drawing from personal experience, cultural moments, history, and first-hand stories, she invites listeners to pause, breathe, and remember: we’ve been through hard chapters before—and we’re still here.

In this episode, Lara explores:

• Why extreme narratives are so loud—and why they work
• A powerful quote from The American President that feels eerily relevant today
• A grounded, compassionate perspective on abortion that centers women’s lived experiences
• Growing up around guns—and why “the middle” gets lost in the gun debate
• Immigration fear narratives, personal Facebook backlash, and why many people stay silent
• How fear + blame derail productive conversation
• Why due process and democracy matter—regardless of political identity
• Historical context showing that today’s tensions are not new
• First-hand stories of immigrants Lara worked with—stories of kindness, dignity, and tragedy
• A heartbreaking example of how broken systems impact real families
• Why personal stories soften fear more than statistics ever could
• A timely book recommendation that restores faith in compromise and shared values

Book Recommendation:

The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Isaacson
A short but powerful read (or audiobook) that explores the care, compromise, and intention behind the founding of American democracy—and why those principles still matter today.

What this episode is not:

• A political manifesto
• A call to extremes
• An argument for outrage

What it is:

• A call for calm
• A reminder that most of us live in the middle
• An invitation to lead with humanity instead of fear

Lara closes by sharing what’s coming next (including a lighter, self-help-focused episode), introducing a new recurring segment, and reminding listeners that it’s okay to speak up—even when it’s uncomfortable.

New Segment - Insta Follow of the Week:

@slavic.bestie
Bold, feminine, empowering content with humor, confidence, and unapologetic energy.

If this episode resonated with you—or challenged you—Lara welcomes your feedback. The goal isn’t agreement. It’s connection.

Thanks for being here. We’re going to be okay. 💛