Teach Me How To Adult

Hosted by Gillian Berner

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395

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Jul 2026

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About the show

Adulting isn't easy, but we got you. Teach Me How To Adult is a smart, unfiltered podcast on everything you never learned growing up, because let’s be honest, no one prepared us for this. Between landing your dream job, crushing your love life, learning to invest, mastering your mindset and figuring out how to be happy along the way, there’s a lot to navigate. Join host Gillian Berner every week for expert interviews and game-changing advice on how we can all live our best lives. There’s more than one way to adult, and it is not always linear. So follow along as we figure it out together.

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60 recent

July 22, 20264 min

Announcement: Summer Break And Season 6 Updates

A quick update to let you know we're taking a summer break from the podcast — we’ll be back with SEASON 6 in September! I'm so excited to share what's in store for Season 6... we have lots of exciting updates, a new look and feel, and deeper convos with brilliant and thoughtful guests. In the meantime, you can stay up-to-date by subscribing to the show on YouTube and Spotify to watch all the episodes... leaving a review really is such a helpful way to support the show so I can keep making this every week! And if you haven’t subscribed to my Substack , it would mean the world if you did. I’ll be posting more writing and insights there in the coming weeks. Thank you guys for tuning in to season 5 and being a part of this amazing community. If you have any topics or guest suggestions that you’d love to hear in season 6, please send me a message or DM. I love hearing from you! I hope you all find time for whimsy, community, and the hobbies that light you up this summer. See you in September! Subscribe to my Substack: teachmehowtoadult.substack.com Follow us on the ‘gram: @teachmehowtoadultmedia @gillian.berner Follow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadult Subscribe on YouTube

July 15, 202623 min

The Psychology of Whimsy: Maybe Life Doesn’t Suck… Maybe You Just Need Whimsymaxxing

Finally… a happiness habit that actually works. Whimsymaxxing is everywhere right now, and for good reason. But this is more than just another internet trend… the vitality of whimsy reflects something much deeper about what so many of us are craving. In this episode, we're exploring the psychology of whimsy , why adults desperately need more play, wonder, novelty, creativity, and delight, and why intentionally romanticizing your life can improve your mental health, resilience, and overall wellbeing. In a world obsessed with productivity, optimization, and hustle culture, whimsy is becoming an act of rebellion. A much-needed pendulum swing away from over-optimizing, biohacking, irreverence, and minimalism. Whimsy is an act of hope and joy against the seriousness of adulthood and the uncertainty of current times. And it’s more than just vibes… whimsy is a measurable psychological strength associated with greater life satisfaction, stronger relationships, improved resilience, and lower symptoms of depression. Even more good news: it’s not a fixed trait. Research shows playfulness can be learned and developed. So whether you're feeling burnt out, stuck in autopilot, or wanting to reconnect with childhood joy, this episode will inspire you to reclaim the magic of life in small, meaningful ways. Tune in to hear about: Why whimsymaxxing is becoming one of the biggest trends The psychology of whimsy, playfulness, and wonder How romanticizing your life can improve happiness and mental health Why novelty activates dopamine and makes life feel richer and more memorable The surprising research on adult playfulness and resilience The power of nostalgia and reconnecting with childhood joy How to break out of autopilot and make everyday life feel magical again 15 easy ways to add more whimsy, creativity, adventure, and play into your life this summer Let’s savour every sunset, dilly dally our days away, and spend the summer being wildly impractical and frivolous. For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network. Subscribe to my Substack: teachmehowtoadult.substack.com Follow us on the ‘gram: @teachmehowtoadultmedia @gillian.berner Follow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadult Subscribe on YouTube

July 13, 20267 min

ICYMI: How To Be Indispensable In An AI World (And How Authentic Should You REALLY Be At Work?!), with Emily The Recruiter

How do we make ourselves indispensable in a workforce where we're constantly being replaced? Welcome to today’s ICYMI, where we kick off the week with a quick game-changing tip from one of our guests that you might have missed. In this uncertain job market, the things that make you uniquely you — like your ideas, communication skills and emotional intelligence — are becoming increasingly important for career success. So we're throwing it back to this helpful advice from Emily The Recruiter on how to incorporate AI into your job to stand out, and the soft skills that will make you irreplaceable in the current market. Plus, Emily myth-busts how much of our authentic self we should actually bring to work. Emily Durham—aka Emily the Recruiter—is a career coach, content creator, and host of the Clock In Podcast . With millions of views across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Emily is known for her no-BS advice on how to land your dream job and deal with workplace dynamics like a boss.xn Listen to the full episode with Emily The Recruiter here . Tune in every Monday for an expert dose of life advice in under 10 minutes. Check out our first episode with Emily here . Follow Emily on Instagram , TikTok , and YouTube . Subscribe to my Substack: teachmehowtoadult.substack.com Follow us on the ‘gram: @teachmehowtoadultmedia @gillian.berner Follow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadult Subscribe on YouTube

July 8, 20261 hr 1 min

How To Stay In Love: Top Divorce Lawyer On Why Marriages Fail & The Habits That Save Relationships, with James Sexton

More than half of marriages end in divorce… so why do we still choose to tie the knot? In this episode we get profound relationship advice from a perspective you might not expect… a world-renowned divorce lawyer and authority on relationships. Because there’s a lot that we can reverse engineer from someone who has spent their career witnessing endings. We're joined by James Sexton , America's top divorce lawyer, and bestselling author of How to Stay in Love and How Not To Fuck Up Your Marriage . After more than 20 years helping couples navigate the end of their marriages, James has rare insight into what actually causes relationships to fail, and how we can build stronger, healthier, lasting love before the start. We cover the real reason people divorce, the biggest mistakes that end marriages, what the red flags are that a relationship might be unsalvageable, emotional disconnection and the toxicity of social media for couples, and advice for anyone about to get married. In this moving conversation, we also explore the deeper philosophy of grief and impermanence, and what we can learn about building more connected relationships from someone who has witnessed a lifetime of endings. Whether you're dating, engaged, married, navigating relationship challenges, or simply want to become a better partner, this episode is packed with practical relationship advice that every couple (and anyone hoping to get married one day) should hear. Tune in to hear: The main causes of divorce after 20+ years in family law How we “lose the plot” in relationships The red flags that a relationship is breaking down or beyond repair Why couples’ connections “go bankrupt slowly, then all at once" James Sexton’s "Hit Send Now" philosophy for honest communication Check-in rituals and habits to stay connected and avoid drifting Why couples experience different versions of the same relationship (we’re unreliable narrators!) How social media can be damaging in modern relationships What grief work and divorce law taught James about love, gratitude, and impermanence The most important advice James gives to anyone about to get married Follow James: https://www.instagram.com/nycdivorcelawyer/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/@sextonshow/videos https://www.nycdivorces.com/ Subscribe to my Substack: teachmehowtoadult.substack.com Follow us on the ‘gram: @teachmehowtoadultmedia @gillian.berner Follow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadult Subscribe on YouTube

July 6, 20267 min

ICYMI: How Fear Can Be The #1 Relationship Killer, with Trevor Hanson

How do we choose love over fear when relationships get hard? Welcome to today’s ICYMI, where we kick off the week with a quick game-changing tip from an episode that you might have missed. This advice from Trevor Hanson will guide you through common communication landmines, why fear is the #1 killer of relationships, and how to move through fear by accessing our primary emotions and communicating without self-protection. I’m joined by Trevor Hanson, a marriage and family therapist who has helped thousands of individuals and couples heal attachment wounds and build secure, connected, confident relationships. His work has been featured by the Gottman Institute, and he’s the founder of The Art of Healing , where he teaches frameworks for transforming insecurity into emotional safety. Listen to our full episode with Trevor here. Tune in every Monday for an expert dose of life advice in under 10 minutes. Follow Trevor on Instagram Trevor's website: https://theartofhealingbytrevor.com For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network. Subscribe to my Substack: teachmehowtoadult.substack.com Follow us on the ‘gram: @teachmehowtoadultmedia @gillian.berner Follow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadult Subscribe on YouTube

July 1, 202623 min

Why Your Social Biome Shapes Your Happiness: Build Stronger Friendships This Summer | Rerelease

What if this summer was your most social summer ever? We desperately need connection. Loneliness impacts your body, mood, longevity and emotional health, and as we turn to technology more and more for all our needs, we risk missing the social interactions that fuel us. So today we're throwing it back to the concept of the “ social biome” — your personal ecosystem of relationships and daily interactions — and how it can enrich your life. Founded by researchers Dr. Jeffrey Hall and Dr. Andy Merolla, the social biome is a framework for strengthening relationships and cultivating a real sense of community in a culture that’s starved of real life connection. If you're craving more genuine relationships and social connection this summer, these doable strategies can help you build your social biome and connections. Tune in to learn: Why connection is “ social nutrition ” and how to feed your social health every day. The Ladder of Connection framework to move from restorative solitude to strong, meaningful friendships. How small, low-stakes interactions (“ weak ties ”) boost your mood and help you feel less isolated. Using social media and technology as a way to connect rather than compare and consume. Practical tips to actually make friends as an adult , nurture existing bonds, and create a supportive community. For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network. Subscribe to my Substack: teachmehowtoadult.substack.com Follow us on the ‘gram: @teachmehowtoadultmedia @gillian.berner Follow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadult Subscribe on YouTube

June 29, 202610 min

ICYMI: Give Better Feedback In The Bedroom (And In Our Relationships): A Script For Communicating Preferences, Boundaries, and Needs, with Darshana Avila

How do we communicate our needs in a way that doesn't feel like criticism? Welcome to today’s ICYMI, where we kick off the week with a quick game-changing tip from an episode that you might have missed. Expressing our true desires, communicating what actually makes us feel good or safe, and dialling into our preferences and needs can be vulnerable territory with a partner... but it's a powerful path to intimacy when done with care. So we're throwing it back to this masterclass in feedback, communication, and relating more intimately with Darshana Avila . Darshana is a trauma-informed somatic sex educator and Erotic Wholeness coach who has dedicated her career to helping people tune in to their truth, desires, and authentic relationships. Her work has been featured on Netflix’s Sex, Love & goop, and she’s spent over a decade guiding people out of the cultural patterns that keep them stuck. Listen to our full episode with Darshana here. Tune in every Monday for an expert dose of life advice in under 10 minutes. Follow Darshana on her website and Instagram . For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network. Subscribe to my Substack: teachmehowtoadult.substack.com Follow us on the ‘gram: @teachmehowtoadultmedia @gillian.berner Follow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadult Subscribe on YouTube

June 24, 202617 min

How To Feel More Empowered & Confident: The Psychology of Personal Power + Locus of Control | The Quickie

Do you feel like you're in the driver's seat of your life, or does it feel like life is just happening to you? Empowered people have an infectious confidence and energy, and a lot of that personal agency comes down to a powerful concept in psychology: locus of control. Do our choices, habits, and actions shape our future? Or are we at the mercy of luck, circumstances, other people, and forces beyond our control? Your answer has a major impact on your confidence, resilience, motivation, mental health, relationships, success, and optimism. In this episode, we unpack the difference between an internal locus of control and an external locus of control , why some people feel empowered while others feel stuck, and how our childhood experiences, upbringing, and life circumstances can shape the stories we tell ourselves about what's possible. Tune in to hear: What the concept of locus of control is in psychology The difference between an internal vs. external locus of control Why locus of control influences confidence, resilience, happiness, motivation, and success The connection between external locus of control and anxiety/depression/stress How high performers often develop a stronger sense of personal agency How childhood experiences, parenting styles, and socioeconomic circumstances shape our beliefs Why your locus of control may differ across areas of your life Strategies to feel more empowered and build confidence in your abilities Whether you're navigating anxiety, building self-confidence, or trying to feel more empowered in your life, this is a powerful framework for understanding how your mindset shapes your reality. I believe in you!! For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network. Subscribe to my Substack: teachmehowtoadult.substack.com Follow us on the ‘gram: @teachmehowtoadultmedia @gillian.berner Follow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadult Subscribe on YouTube

June 17, 202618 min

The Overlooked Cause Of Burnout (It's Not Stress Or Overwork) And How To Recover | Rerelease

What if burnout isn't always caused by working too much? I've been falling back into burnout lately, and a lot of people around me have been struggling with it too. So in this throwback episode, we're exploring a lesser-known cause of burnout that rarely gets discussed: a lack of meaning, purpose, connection, engagement, and fulfillment. Most burnout advice focuses on reducing stress, taking breaks, and improving work-life balance... but tons of people are still experiencing chronic fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and low motivation even after taking a break and getting more rest. That's because burnout isn't always about overwork. Sometimes it's about undernourishment. Enter "boreout": the exhaustion that comes from chronic disengagement, lack of purpose, misalignment with your values, and not having enough meaningful experiences, relationships, creativity, or excitement in your life. Tune in to hear about: • The other cause of burnout that most people overlook • Why burnout isn't always caused by stress, overwork, or long hours • How a lack of meaning, purpose, and engagement can create chronic exhaustion • The connection between values misalignment and burnout symptoms • How technology, overstimulation, and constant productivity impact mental health • Why rest alone doesn't always fix burnout • Practical ways to create more energy, joy, creativity, purpose, and fulfillment • How to recover from burnout by building a life that energizes you Sometimes the answer isn't doing less... it's reconnecting with what makes you feel alive. For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network. Subscribe to my Substack: teachmehowtoadult.substack.com Follow us on the ‘gram: @teachmehowtoadultmedia @gillian.berner Follow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadult Subscribe on YouTube

June 15, 202611 min

ICYMI: Are You A Moderator Or Abstainer? Breaking Down Drinking Habits & How Alcohol Impacts Your Social Life, with Amanda Kuda

Rethinking drinking? You're not the only one. Welcome to today’s ICYMI, where we kick off the week with a quick game-changing tip from an episode that you might have missed. We all know alcohol messes with our health, but do you know how much it gets in the way of real connection? We're throwing it back to a deep chat with Amanda Kuda on how alcohol impacts our confidence, energy, social lives and more. Tune in to find out if you fall into the moderators vs. abstainers archetype, and how to realistically change your relationship with booze. Amanda is an alcohol-free life coach, speaker, and author of Unbottled Potential: Break Up With Alcohol and Break Through to Your Best Life . Amanda teaches a modern, empowering approach to personal development and self-actualization through the lens of elective sobriety —no rock bottom necessary. Whether you’re looking to cut back, reassess your relationship with drinking, or explore what an alcohol-free lifestyle could do for your energy, confidence, dating life, and emotional wellbeing, Amanda offers tons of vulnerability and insight. Listen to our full episode with Amanda here. Tune in every Monday for an expert dose of life advice in under 10 minutes. Follow Amanda: https://www.amandakuda.com/ For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network. Subscribe to my Substack: teachmehowtoadult.substack.com Follow us on the ‘gram: @teachmehowtoadultmedia @gillian.berner Follow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadult Subscribe on YouTube

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