Shows
Advice Is OptionalCan I get my own pet now?Our favorite special guest Ellie is back—and things get ruff! Gage and Ellie have very different takes on this topic, so buckle up and get ready to duck…shots are definitely fired in this episode. Find us @adviceisoptional on TikTok and IG for pictures of all the animals mentioned in this episode. Other helpful links from this episode: Helps homeless dogs to be matched with people with disabilities https://foreverinmyheartfoundation.org/ Rights to Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)https://www.hud.gov/helping-americans/assistance-animals Considering adoption or other ways...2025-06-1825 minAdvice Is OptionalCan I get my own pet now?Our favorite special guest Ellie is back—and things get ruff! Gage and Ellie have very different takes on this topic, so buckle up and get ready to duck…shots are definitely fired in this episode. Find us @adviceisoptional on TikTok and IG for pictures of all the animals mentioned in this episode. Other helpful links from this episode: Helps homeless dogs to be matched with people with disabilities https://foreverinmyheartfoundation.org/ Rights to Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) https://www.hud.gov/helping-americans/assistance-animals Considering adoptio...2025-06-1726 minAdvice Is OptionalAnxiety and A Case of Missing BaseballsIn this episode, Gage and Kristal get real about anxiety—what it feels like, why it shows up, and what actually helps. From sweaty palms to spiraling thoughts, they break down the mind-body connection and give some tried-and-true tools to live by if you experience it. Something good to say? Leave a review or give us a shout out on social media. We would totally appreciate it! Interested in your own Coaching Session with Kristal? click on https://kristalfiorentino.com/life-101/ Highlights: 1:52 Gage defines anxiety 4:16 your brain doesn't know the dif...2025-06-1023 minAdvice Is OptionalOne Wedding and My Funeral?Gage is invited to his cousin’s wedding and he has a bunch of questions and a few rants. So, Kristal dives into the do’s and don’ts of wedding etiquette—from gifts and dress codes to rehearsal dinner confusion and whether or not it’s okay to sneak a peek at the Final Four during the vows. Something good to say? Leave a review or give us a shout out on social media. We would totally appreciate it! Interested in your own Coaching Session with Kristal? click on https://kristalfiorentino.com/life-101/ Highlights...2025-06-0328 minAdvice Is OptionalExercise as therapy, Say what?Gage shares how lifting weights became his therapy for dealing with anxiety, and Kristal explains why that worked. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or just trying to get consistent, this episode offers simple, real-life ways to use movement as medicine. No gym membership required. Something good to say? Leave a review or give us a shout out on social media. We would totally appreciate it! Interested in your own Coaching Session with Kristal? click on https://kristalfiorentino.com/life-101/ Highlights: 2:45 Gage connects mental health and exercise thru yoga therapy ...2025-05-2721 minAdvice Is OptionalMeet the Parents: Part 2You’ve heard Gage and Kristal’s side, now it’s Sarah’s turn. In this follow-up episode, we finally get to meet Sarah and hear her take on what it was like meeting Gage’s parents for the first time. Was she nervous? Did she feel ambushed? And what was really going through her head at dinner? Something good to say? Leave a review or give us a shout out on social media. We would totally appreciate it! Interested in your own Coaching Session with Kristal? Click on https://kristalfiorentino.com/life-101/2025-05-2023 minAdvice Is OptionalMeet the Parents: Part 1Is there ever a right time to introduce your girlfriend/boyfriend to your parents? Listen to find how Gage made that decision-or how the decision was made for him-and how it went! Something good to say? Leave a review or give us a shout out on social media. It would really help and we would totally appreciate it! Interested in your own Coaching Session with Kristal? Click on https://kristalfiorentino.com/life-101/ Highlights: 1:36 Gage gets BUSTED 6:03 Commitment level matters 10:29 Did Gage’s parents make his girlfrie...2025-05-1321 minAdvice Is OptionalWork Life Balance: Is There Such a Thing?Is Work-Life Balance even a thing? We tackle this very question with a special guest, Ellie, Gage’s younger sister who is also experiencing her first real job and struggling with this same question. Something good to say? Leave a review or give us a shout out on social media. It really helps us and we would totally appreciate it! Interested in your own Coaching Session with Kristal? Click on https://kristalfiorentino.com/life-101/ Highlights: 1:00 Meet Ellie 2:46 Gage’s definition of work life balance 3:44 Ellie’s definition...2025-05-0623 minAdvice Is OptionalSunday ScariesAfter a five-day break, Gage talks about the anxiety creeping in before Monday hits. Kristal shares simple ways to ease the “Sunday Night Scaries” and how to shift your mindset for a smoother start to the week. Something good to say? Leave a review or give us a shout out on social media. We would totally appreciate it! Interested in your own Coaching Session with Kristal? click on https://kristalfiorentino.com/life-101/ Highlights: 2:26 Gage talks about his coping mechanisms 5:15 Kristal knows it as the Sunday blues and dives into why it h...2025-04-2923 minAdvice Is OptionalWhere Are My Underwear?Gage comes home to his childhood room turned guest room, and both Gage and Kristal have their own ideas as to how Gage reacted to the transition. Something good to say? Leave a review or give us a shout out on social media. We would totally appreciate it! Interested in your own Coaching Session with Kristal? Click on https://kristalfiorentino.com/life-101/ Highlights: 2:25 everything is different 6:54 We have to take accountability at some point 8:43 Gage says he doesn’t give a shit 9:30 Gage compares home to a real...2025-04-2221 minAdvice Is OptionalDating Can SuckMoving to a new town is hard. Dating in a new town is harder. Kristal and Gage break down ideas to make dating less hard, and share views on online dating. Something good to say? Leave a review or give us a shout out on social media. We would totally appreciate it! Interested in your own Coaching Session with Kristal? Click on https://kristalfiorentino.com/life-101/ Highlights: 1:36 the experience of online dating 4:04 [what we think is ] the science behind the dating apps 5:30 social media and your self-esteem 2025-04-1526 minAdvice Is OptionalThe Valentine's Day Debate 2:22 moms long answer about how I’m wrong 3:50 why I should ‘take one for the team’ 6:49 my girlfriend and I reached a compromise 10:25 my mom offers her date night advice but I am all set 13:57 do I have to get my girlfriend the cheesy valentines bear 15:53 another piece of advice I refuse to take 17:15 I want to see some data on this 5 live languages 17:42 Last minute Advice Advice is Optional" is a conversational podcast. The insights we share are personal opinions, not professional advice, and...2025-02-1120 minAdvice Is OptionalThe Money DilemmaThe last episode of the season and our FIRST real guest! We get serious about how to save money when you can barely afford rent and groceries! If you hate listening to your parents about money, then I suggest listening to Kelly Ennis, CFP® a financial advisor! Just be sure to consult your financial professional prior to making any decisions or taking action 3:45 the time to start financial planning 5:14 Gage’s financial strategy…and it’s not pretty 11:20 calculating how much to put in your Emergency Fund 13:15 ...2025-01-1434 minAdvice Is OptionalUgh, Is it Really About the Journey?If you have to get a job, then you have to listen to this episode. Finding THE job is grueling and we discuss how it really feels to manage expectations and rejection. We also discuss if high school and career counseling is more hurtful than helpful in some cases. 2:55 job hunting is not for the faint of heart 4:22 rejection totally sucks 6:36 I don’t want to zig zag up the mountain I just want to go straight up 6:55 my mom wants to get me a sign It’s about the Journ...2025-01-0722 minAdvice Is OptionalNow It Gets WeirdWe decide if the Law of Attraction is BS, Desperation has a smell, and if the Universe hates Airpods. Oh, and my mom admits to dating in the dinosaur age. 4:20 how the Law of Attraction happened to me 5:18 my mom discusses if desperation has a smell 9:18 if you’re not first your last 11:56 we have over 16,000 thoughts a day and an overwhelming amount are negative 15:12 I share my own affirmation I have been using for years 17:27 to Airpod or not to Airpod, that ultimately is the question ...2024-12-3118 minAdvice Is OptionalThe Graduation Let DownIn this episode my mom gets really excited about discussing unwritten expectations we don’t even know we have. And, hopefully, the frustration of the job search will totally resonate with you. 4:09 first the degree then comes the job, or does it? 8:34 I become a bartender with a Masters degree 10:23 shame rears its ugly head 16:55 I apply to 20 jobs, got 6 interviews, offered 1 job 20:30 applying The Four Agreements 23:21 advice [includes DoorDash] The book mentioned is this episode is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz...2024-12-2425 minAdvice Is OptionalTransitioning from Child to GuestFRICTION. That is the best word to describe what was caused when I came home after being away at school. In this episode my mom and I discuss how hard it was for everyone in the family, as I maintained my own independence while reverting to being a child under my parents roof. So awkward. 5:10 expectations of being a Guest in my own home 6:15 hardest part of being a Guest 6:40 my mom is wrong here! 8:48 my mom blames me for her own worries. Wth. 11:34 respect is a two-w...2024-12-1717 minAdvice Is OptionalZAOHWe just saved you two hours of reading, you’re welcome;) Mom and I summarize then break down the book that changed her life and then mine, in hopes that it will change yours too! If you have read the book, we would love to hear your thoughts! Email us at adviceisoptional@gmail.com 2:35 where did BPO come from 4:45 my mom is right again (her words not mine) 7:38 my proof of BPO 13:12 relating this idea to Sports 16:03 my quotes a video game...2024-12-1032 minAdvice Is OptionalWhat is a BPO and Is It Contagious?Going away for school was hard! In this episode I share how my college plans totally fell through and I decide if it's the worst (or the best) thing that could have happened! 3:22 BPO explained 8:53 I become homesick and get a bright idea 11:45 I remember feeling totally broken and totally rejected 14:45 I launch my backup plan 16:45 my worst case scenario becomes BPO 19:26 I concede my mom may be right about BPO Catch the next episode where we actually break down the book we...2024-12-0326 minAdvice Is OptionalMaking THE Big DecisionHave you ever had to make a big decision? If so, then this episode is just for you. My mom and I break down the biggest decision I have ever made, and she explains the connection between my decision and my trip to the ER. Her advice in this episode is what eventually changed my opinion of the Body/Mind Connection. 6:07 how the body deals with procrastination 13:39 I “listen to my body” for the first time 15:00 the stigma of local universities 19:29 the definition of anxiety 25:43 advice for the Big deci...2024-11-2632 minAdvice Is OptionalSomething Has to ChangeA harrowing trip to the Emergency Room sent my life literally spinning out of control. What my “woo woo” mom had to say about it, and how this might have changed my entire life (and our relationship) from here on out. If you have something nice to say about our new podcast, please leave a review, give us a shout out on social media, or share us with someone you know! Screenshot your share or review and send it to Adviceisoptional@gmail.com for a chance to win a private coaching session with my mom Kristal, C-IAYT. 2024-11-1929 min
Advice Is OptionalWelcome into Advice is OptionalYou may not take advice from your Mom but would you consider taking it from mine? In this short intro, my mom and I explain who we are, how this got started, and why you should consider hanging around for more episodes! Welcome. We are glad you are here! If you have something nice to say about our new podcast, please leave a review, give us a shout out on social media, or share us with someone you know! Screenshot your share or review and send it to Adviceisoptional@gma...2024-11-1808 min