<![CDATA[Stacks of Life]]>The Stacks of Life began as long‑distance conversations between three friends after the suicide of one of their spouses. What started as a way to stay connected became a space to unpack the emotional stacks women carry—loss, reinvention, love, identity, and the messy middle of life.

Blending honest storytelling, lived experience, compassionate support, and plenty of giggles, Allie, Jessica, and Allison invite listeners to find themselves in these conversations, explore their own stacks, and embrace how our stacks become our stories.

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:31:29 GMTSat, 13 Jun 2026 22:01:15 GMT60Allison from Georgia with her besties, Jessica and Allie from Colorado<p><i>The Stacks of Life</i> began as long‑distance conversations between three friends after the suicide of one of their spouses. What started as a way to stay connected became a space to unpack the emotional stacks women carry—loss, reinvention, love, identity, and the messy middle of life.</p><p>Blending honest storytelling, lived experience, compassionate support, and plenty of giggles, Allie, Jessica, and Allison invite listeners to find themselves in these conversations, explore their own stacks, and embrace how our stacks become our stories.</p>episodicAllison from Georgia with her besties, Jessica and Allie from Coloradoallisonsetterlind@gmail.comno<![CDATA[S1/Ep8-Reinvention with a Plot Twist]]>This two‑part conversation explores Jessica’s reinvention — the kind that begins quietly, with a woman looking at her body after weight loss and wondering what it might feel like to finally see herself clearly. In this conversation from March, she opens up about the desire for a full body makeover, the deeper motivations beneath it, and the complicated relationship so many women have with their reflection. This episode concludes with a plot twist! Fast forward to July 2026 and everything changed with the results from her genetic testing for breast cancer.

]]>e6994470-b4f3-4e6f-97de-ddc508bf8acaThu, 17 Sep 2026 20:30:00 GMT<p>This two‑part conversation explores Jessica’s reinvention — the kind that begins quietly, with a woman looking at her body after weight loss and wondering what it might feel like to finally see herself clearly. In this conversation from March, she opens up about the desire for a full body makeover, the deeper motivations beneath it, and the complicated relationship so many women have with their reflection. This episode concludes with a plot twist! Fast forward to July 2026 and everything changed with the results from her genetic testing for breast cancer.</p>no00:24:4718S1/Ep8-Reinvention with a Plot Twistfull<![CDATA[S1/Ep7-Surprises from the Easter Bunny]]>Today’s episode, Surprises from the Easter Bunny, brings together two stories that landed in our laps this past Easter — the kind you don’t see coming, but you feel all the way down. Jessica opens up about the parenting challenges of raising a gay young daughter and the delicate balance she tried to hold during an important Easter conversation with the couple. Allison throws in some free therapy breadcrumbs about setting boundaries around managing her kidult's sibling relationships. And Allie shares some eye‑opening moments of her own, navigating boundaries with an ex‑husband whose new dating life has gotten a little too close to home. It’s honest, tender, and full of the surprises for their Stacks of Life.

]]>12ddc18a-238e-45e8-9b1c-b2ea966edcd0Mon, 14 Sep 2026 20:30:00 GMT<p>Today’s episode, <i>Surprises from the Easter Bunny</i>, brings together two stories that landed in our laps this past Easter — the kind you don’t see coming, but you feel all the way down. Jessica opens up about the parenting challenges of raising a gay young daughter and the delicate balance she tried to hold during an important Easter conversation with the couple. Allison throws in some free therapy breadcrumbs about setting boundaries around managing her kidult's sibling relationships. And Allie shares some eye‑opening moments of her own, navigating boundaries with an ex‑husband whose new dating life has gotten a little too close to home. It’s honest, tender, and full of the surprises for their Stacks of Life.</p>no00:33:3317S1/Ep7-Surprises from the Easter Bunnyfull<![CDATA[S1/Ep6-Udderlessly Dating]]>Welcome back to the Stacks of Life! In this episode, Allison opens up about dating in widowhood — the nerves, the hope, and the awkward moments that come with starting again. She shares the story of showing up to a St. Patrick’s Day party dressed as Lucky the Leprechaun and unexpectedly running into the guy who bailed before their first date. Allie and Jessica offer empathy, humor, and grounded advice, reminding her that embarrassment fades and connection grows when you don’t walk the journey alone.

]]>3789275a-2913-4fd2-b04e-9a241f42b3c2Tue, 08 Sep 2026 20:00:00 GMT<p>Welcome back to the Stacks of Life! In this episode, Allison opens up about dating in widowhood — the nerves, the hope, and the awkward moments that come with starting again. She shares the story of showing up to a St. Patrick’s Day party dressed as Lucky the Leprechaun and unexpectedly running into the guy who bailed before their first date. Allie and Jessica offer empathy, humor, and grounded advice, reminding her that embarrassment fades and connection grows when you don’t walk the journey alone.</p>no00:34:0816S1/Ep6-Udderlessly Datingfull<![CDATA[S1/Ep 5- And Then the Dog Died]]>This episode brings together grief, boundaries, co‑parenting after divorce, Mother’s Day sweetness, and the midlife chaos that somehow becomes comedy when Jessica, Allie, and Allison are together!

Allie opens up about the heartbreaking decision to put her dog to sleep, the emotional ripple effects with her ex, and the moment she protected her peace by saying no to a family dinner she didn’t want to attend. What unfolds is a grounded, honest conversation about boundaries — why kindness doesn’t mean over‑giving, why adult kids struggle with changing family dynamics, and how grief and guilt show up in a post‑divorce system.

Then things lighten up with a funny detour into Allison’s birthday gift gone wrong: on steroids. The trio also shares a tender Mother’s Day chat, celebrating the small rituals — including Krispy Kreme donuts — that make the day feel special.

A relatable, heartfelt episode for anyone navigating divorce, shifting family roles, grief, or the slow, steady work of becoming a more boundaried version of yourself.

]]>f6f43b06-2e6f-4cb6-9fc8-e258c8eebbecMon, 31 Aug 2026 23:13:55 GMT<p>This episode brings together grief, boundaries, co‑parenting after divorce, Mother’s Day sweetness, and the midlife chaos that somehow becomes comedy when Jessica, Allie, and Allison are together!</p><p></p><p>Allie opens up about the heartbreaking decision to put her dog to sleep, the emotional ripple effects with her ex, and the moment she protected her peace by saying no to a family dinner she didn’t want to attend. What unfolds is a grounded, honest conversation about boundaries — why kindness doesn’t mean over‑giving, why adult kids struggle with changing family dynamics, and how grief and guilt show up in a post‑divorce system.</p><p></p><p>Then things lighten up with a funny detour into Allison’s birthday gift gone wrong: on steroids. The trio also shares a tender Mother’s Day chat, celebrating the small rituals — including Krispy Kreme donuts — that make the day feel special.</p><p></p><p>A relatable, heartfelt episode for anyone navigating divorce, shifting family roles, grief, or the slow, steady work of becoming a more boundaried version of yourself.</p>no00:28:5715S1/Ep 5- And Then the Dog Diedfull<![CDATA[S1/Ep4-February Blues and other Sweetheart Stories]]>on this episode 4, Allison and her Besties from the Westies — Jessica and Allie — sit down for a February 2026 conversation full of midlife humor, honesty, and some Valentines giggles. Jessica shares how a simple Sadie Hawkins dance invite in high school sparked a lifelong friendship with Allison, while Allison opens up about her single‑gal adventures and the widowhood overthinking that tends to follow her.

Allie talks through the anxiety of adjusting to life after divorce — especially the nerves that come with seeing her ex-husband at family events — and she gets a gentle pep talk about protecting her peace.

A funny blooper midway reminds everyone that the trio is still learning how podcasting works and laughing through it. A warm, real, relatable catch‑up from the women who make us feel at home in their Stacks of Life.

]]>4abaa1ca-84e3-4619-9520-836adea711d7Mon, 24 Aug 2026 15:44:05 GMT<p>on this episode 4, Allison and her Besties from the Westies — Jessica and Allie — sit down for a February 2026 conversation full of midlife humor, honesty, and some Valentines giggles. Jessica shares how a simple Sadie Hawkins dance invite in high school sparked a lifelong friendship with Allison, while Allison opens up about her single‑gal adventures and the widowhood overthinking that tends to follow her.</p><p>Allie talks through the anxiety of adjusting to life after divorce — especially the nerves that come with seeing her ex-husband at family events — and she gets a gentle pep talk about protecting her peace.</p><p>A funny blooper midway reminds everyone that the trio is still learning how podcasting works and laughing through it. A warm, real, relatable catch‑up from the women who make us feel at home in their Stacks of Life.</p>no00:30:3514S1/Ep4-February Blues and other Sweetheart Storiesfull<![CDATA[S1/Ep3-Don't Mess with Weeza]]>This episode is a Stacks chat from April 2026 where Allie opens up about the real-life juggle of coordinating care for her aging mom and navigating that with siblings. Allison brings in her big-picture blog post this month using a NASA‑meets‑wallpaper analogy to make sense of midlife’s zoom‑in/zoom‑out moments. And the three of you end up laughing about your Instagram feeds, now overflowing with beavers and otters having birthday parties. It’s honest, tender, and silly — classic Stacks of Life stuff.

]]>cee45fcb-eda6-4601-9342-35593c6dde41Fri, 21 Aug 2026 02:21:34 GMT<p>This episode is a Stacks chat from April 2026 where Allie opens up about the real-life juggle of coordinating care for her aging mom and navigating that with siblings. Allison brings in her big-picture blog post this month using a NASA‑meets‑wallpaper analogy to make sense of midlife’s zoom‑in/zoom‑out moments. And the three of you end up laughing about your Instagram feeds, now overflowing with beavers and otters having birthday parties. It’s honest, tender, and silly — classic Stacks of Life stuff.</p>no00:24:13S1/Ep3-Don't Mess with Weezafull<![CDATA[S1/Ep2-Our Stacks of Life Origin Story]]>In this origin‑story episode, Allison and her two Besties from the Westies — Jessica and Allie — talk about how their friendship carried them into podcasting after the loss of Allison’s parents and, soon after, her husband. This episode includes discussion of suicide.

Together, they explore how humor, connection, and honest storytelling became a path toward healing and reinvention. Each woman brings her own midlife story — marriage, divorce, parenting young adults, and widowhood — creating the foundation for The Stacks of Life.

]]>42cbc2da-91ad-445d-8131-e81e67d1cba5Thu, 20 Aug 2026 20:26:46 GMT<p>In this origin‑story episode, Allison and her two Besties from the Westies — Jessica and Allie — talk about how their friendship carried them into podcasting after the loss of Allison’s parents and, soon after, her husband. This episode includes discussion of suicide.</p><p>Together, they explore how humor, connection, and honest storytelling became a path toward healing and reinvention. Each woman brings her own midlife story — marriage, divorce, parenting young adults, and widowhood — creating the foundation for The Stacks of Life.</p>no00:28:1611S1/Ep2-Our Stacks of Life Origin Storyfull<![CDATA[S1/Ep1-The Year of the Stacks]]>

Recorded in January 2026, this Stacks episode dives into vision boards, midlife glow‑ups, and the thrill of rebuilding a wardrobe after weight loss. They get real about holidays after divorce — the good, the hard, and the unexpectedly funny — and share the stories that keep them laughing, including their dramatic fear of port‑a‑potties. It’s an episode about reinvention, humor, and claiming the New Year with intention. This is the YEAR OF THE STACKS for Allison, Jessica, and Allie!

]]>89d26278-e8e6-4bf6-ba9d-dceda061b14fWed, 19 Aug 2026 19:07:57 GMT<p></p><p>Recorded in January 2026, this Stacks episode dives into vision boards, midlife glow‑ups, and the thrill of rebuilding a wardrobe after weight loss. They get real about holidays after divorce — the good, the hard, and the unexpectedly funny — and share the stories that keep them laughing, including their dramatic fear of port‑a‑potties. It’s an episode about reinvention, humor, and claiming the New Year with intention. This is the YEAR OF THE STACKS for Allison, Jessica, and Allie!</p>no00:27:4812S1/Ep1-The Year of the Stacksfull