WhatFriendsDo.com

07/22/2025

Join WhatFriendsDo for our Summer Gratitude Series!☀️
Celebrate the love that lifts us up and comment your favorite moments of support. 💬👇

05/05/2025

Kitchen Chats: Empty Nesting & Living Alone - Episode Summary
This episode of Kitchen Chats features host Aimee Kandrac and her friend Shannon McClellan Cohen discussing the multifaceted experience of empty nesting and living alone. They share their personal journeys of navigating the transition as their children went off to college, highlighting the initial strangeness of a quieter house and the adjustment to new routines. The conversation touches on relatable topics such as the changed grocery shopping habits, the shift in knowing their children's whereabouts, and the challenge of moving from active parenting to a more supportive role.
Aimee and Shannon also delve into the social dynamics of being in a different life stage than some friends, the unique experience of adult children returning home, and practical tips for those newly navigating an empty nest or solo living. These tips include managing phone settings for emergencies, establishing emergency contact protocols, understanding legal documents like medical power of attorney, and navigating college-related access. They also explore the spectrum of ongoing parental involvement and share humorous anecdotes about the differences in moving their children into college. Ultimately, the episode offers a warm and insightful look at the adjustments, challenges, and unexpected perks of this significant life transition, emphasizing the importance of self-care and community support.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatfriendsdo-kitchen-chats/id1652821261

03/24/2025

Thanks to a kind friend for sharing these great recipes. What are your go-tos?

https://cooking.nytimes.com/68861692-nyt-cooking/112037696-comfort-dishes-recipes?smtyp=cur&smid=fb-nytimes&fbclid=IwY2xjawJOZD9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVA97tNOTSAt-IdgQ3svMkARluOCvvTvLaHNnU0J1T9Nk_UN5XMPsdzQeg_aem_hyftp4VqqS3N7MGiP-L1PQ

These are the recipes our editors and writers make for their loved ones in need of some extra comfort and nourishment. Learn more about why we chose these dishes.

03/23/2025

Join host, Aimee Kandrac as she engages in conversation with school counselor and owner of Interactions, LLC, Samantha Franklin, to talk about normalizing the choice of retreating after a major life event takes place. This episode covers everything from communication challenges and boundaries, to showing support when others are retreating.

Be sure to catch this latest episode on your favorite podcast platform, or for easy access you can find it here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/retreating-after-a-major-event/id1652821261?i=1000699985834

03/21/2025

Host Aimee Kandrac and Dr. Samantha Franklin about the importance of allowing oneself to retreat after major life events.

They discuss the importance of being mindful of boundaries and avoiding unsolicited advice or intrusions. They place emphasis on the value of simple gestures, such as sending books or gift cards for massages, as ways to show support without overwhelming the individual.

The conversation touches on the nature of grief, acknowledging that it can arise from various life events, not just death. They discuss the importance of allowing oneself and others ample time to grieve and process emotions.

The speak on the difficulties of navigating social interactions while grieving.
The importance of listening:
The importance of listening to the verbal and non-verbal cues of others.
The importance of whole body listening.
The importance of boundaries:
Respecting others boundaries.
Creating and maintaining personal boundaries.

You can hear the episode now at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/retreating-after-a-major-event/id1652821261?i=1000699985834
or on your favorite podcast platform.

03/06/2025

This conversation between Aimee and Charlie explores the importance of teamwork during major life transitions.

While the concept of a team is often associated with sports, they emphasize its relevance in navigating life's challenges. Just as a race car driver relies on a pit crew, individuals facing transitions need a support system.

This conversation highlights the value of community, vulnerability, and recognizing the interconnectedness of human experience when navigating life's inevitable changes.

Available now!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-importance-of-team/id1652821261?i=1000695897545

02/25/2025

Loved this conversation with Ashley ❤️
To hear the episode, search “Kitchen Chats” wherever you listen to podcasts. Episode 29: Unexpected Grief. Link in bio!

02/20/2025

This podcast episode of Kitchen Chats explores the multifaceted nature of grief, emphasizing that it’s not solely tied to death but arises from various life transitions like divorce, empty nesting, or even positive changes. Host Aimee Kandrac and guest, Ashley Parsons, discuss how the commonly referenced “five stages of grief” are often misapplied and can make people feel like they’re grieving incorrectly.
They highlight that grief and joy can coexist, and asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The conversation offers practical advice for supporting someone grieving, stressing the importance of empathy, active listening, and respecting individual grieving processes. They suggest offering concrete help, like cooking or running errands, and acknowledge the vulnerability involved in both needing and offering support. Ultimately, the podcast encourages listeners to expand their understanding of grief, embrace its complexities, and prioritize self-care while navigating life’s inevitable changes.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-multifaceted-nature-of-grief/id1652821261?i=1000694095432

02/20/2025

This podcast episode of Kitchen Chats explores the multifaceted nature of grief, emphasizing that it's not solely tied to death but arises from various life transitions like divorce, empty nesting, or even positive changes. Host Aimee Kandrac and guest, Ashley Parsons, discuss how the commonly referenced "five stages of grief" are often misapplied and can make people feel like they're grieving incorrectly.
They highlight that grief and joy can coexist, and asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The conversation offers practical advice for supporting someone grieving, stressing the importance of empathy, active listening, and respecting individual grieving processes. They suggest offering concrete help, like cooking or running errands, and acknowledge the vulnerability involved in both needing and offering support. Ultimately, the podcast encourages listeners to expand their understanding of grief, embrace its complexities, and prioritize self-care while navigating life's inevitable changes.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-multifaceted-nature-of-grief/id1652821261?i=1000694095432

02/15/2025

This week we’re hearing from Indianapolis real estate agent Kristi Gaynor. Tune in to a heartfelt conversation about processing memories, helping friends through transitions, and The Emotional Toll of Moving. Kitchen Chats, Episode 28, out now ❤️

02/11/2025

This conversation between two friends, Aimee Kandrac and Kristi Engle Gaynor, delves into the emotional and practical aspects of moving. This conversation provides a comprehensive overview of the many facets of moving and offers practical advice for both those who are moving and those who want to support them.

Emotional Attachment to Homes: They emphasize the strong emotional connections people have with their homes, filled with memories and personal significance. This makes moving a complex process, even when it's desired.
The Difficulty of Purging: Letting go of possessions, especially when tied to loved ones who have passed, is emotionally taxing. Christy shares her experience with her grandmother's belongings and the challenge of deciding what to keep and what to discard.
The Importance of Empathy and Patience: They stress the need for empathy and patience when supporting someone who is moving. Recognizing that everyone processes change differently and at their own pace is crucial.
Practical Ways to Help: They brainstorm specific ways to assist someone moving, including:
Physical Help: Packing, cleaning, decluttering, moving plants, staging the home for sale.
Emotional Support: Listening to stories, offering encouragement, providing a sounding board for frustrations.
Practical Support: Providing gift cards for meals, setting up utilities in the new home, cleaning the refrigerator in the new home and stocking it with essentials, providing a "first night" kit with basic supplies.
Financial Support: Offering advice on financial decisions related to the move.
Understanding Different Types of Movers: They discuss the various emotional states of people moving. Some are excited, some are reluctant, and others are grieving the loss of a loved one. Tailoring support to the individual's needs is key.
The Importance of Asking Specific Questions: Instead of a general "Let me know if I can do anything," they recommend offering concrete suggestions for help. This makes it easier for the person moving to accept assistance.
Offering Help Multiple Times: Recognizing that needs change throughout the moving process, they suggest checking in with the person multiple times, even if they initially decline help.
Avoiding Unhelpful Actions: They caution against bringing more physical items to someone who is already in the process of decluttering.
The Value of Shared Experiences: Sharing personal anecdotes of moving can help the person feel less alone and provide practical tips.
Seeking Advice from Others: They suggest consulting with people who have experience with moving or similar life transitions for guidance on how to best support the person.

Listen NOW! https://five.libsyn.com/show/episodes/view/35242620

01/31/2025

The First Person You Call
Join sisters Aimee Kandrac WhatFriendsDo.comCEO, and Stephanie Kandrac Bewley SKB counseling and consulting, as they open up about major life transitions and what it’s like to be on the receiving end of a phone call delivering difficult news.
This is a fascinating conversation between two sisters! Here's a summary of their discussion:

The Impact of Major Life Events: They delve into the emotional and practical challenges of navigating significant life transitions, such as a cancer diagnosis, divorce, and the subsequent emotional and social isolation.
The Role of Support Systems: Stephanie emphasizes the importance of trusted confidantes and the delicate balance of offering support while respecting boundaries. They discuss the concept of "kitchen counter" vs. "sidewalk" relationships, highlighting the varying levels of intimacy and information sharing.
Communication Strategies: They explore communication strategies, such as "invisible ink" messages and prepared responses to unexpected questions, to navigate social interactions during difficult times.
Supporting Children: They discuss the importance of providing emotional support to children during parental separation and encouraging them to build their own support networks.
Self-Care: The sisters emphasize the importance of self-care and prioritizing one's own well-being, drawing parallels to the airplane safety instructions of putting on your own oxygen mask first.
This conversation offers valuable insights into the complexities of navigating major life transitions, the importance of strong support systems, and the power of open and honest communication.

LISTEN NOW!
https://sites.libsyn.com/446388/major-life-transitions