Permission to Be Brave, Play, and Grow

Finding Your Voice: An investment into the most important relationship - with yourself.

Plus a preview of new song by Cathy Riva "Let's Go Play".

This episode is for any adult—especially parents and people entering a new chapter of life—who want to try something unfamiliar, reconnect with their identity beyond their roles, or find the courage to follow a creative curiosity. It may also resonate with anyone working to build a more understanding relationship with their in-laws.

The conversation centers on Cathy’s year long new hobby, writing and recording an album as a way to invest in herself, find courage, and explore who she is beyond family and work roles. It also touches on the trust and mutual change that helped a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law build a close relationship.

Cathy's Album is out on all platforms of music November 19th.

What would you like to give yourself permission to do next or What are you already doing that invokes Play?

When you marry someone, you don't just marry a person. You marry their traditions, too.

In this episode, Cathy and Lucette explore the nuances of family traditions, relationships, and the importance of inclusiveness and communication in building strong bonds across cultural and generational lines.

key topics

• The role of family traditions in bonding and conflict
• How to handle cultural differences in family celebrations
• The importance of communication and flexibility in relationships
• Stories of family traditions and their significance
• Strategies for inclusiveness and understanding in family dynamics

keywordsfamily traditions, relationships, inclusiveness, communication, cultural differences, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, holiday customs, family bonding

What happens when someone you love gives you advice you absolutely did not ask for?

This week we are talking about unsolicited advice- from BOTH sides of the mother-in-law/ daughter-in-law relationship.

When is it helpful? When is it overstepping? And how do you say, "Thanks, but no thanks" without starting a family feud?

Plus... We are both putting ourselves WAY outside our comfort zones.

Cathy is going to record her debut album - and the nerves are kicking in. Meanwhile, Lucette has big news: she found a publisher for her thriller!

A mother-in-law with a book. A daughter-in-law with an album. Both coming out this year.

Apparently, reinvention doesn't have an expiration date.

And, yes... we still have plenty of advice for each other. Whether anyone asked for it is another story. Please reach out with your thoughts (I promise we want to know) @mustinlawsbeoutlaws and mustinlawsbeoutlaws@gmail.com.

What do you do when your Mother-in-law moves in? And the joke of the day where expectations and pre-conceptions take an unexpected turn!

Get curious, put yourself in their shoes and buckle up as Cathy Bloomgarden and Lucette Bloomgarden jump into another audience question and communication is key! Monthly family meetings could create connection.

After a summer hiatus, Cathy and Lucette are back - with stories, changes, laughs and a little empty nest reality.

We catch up on our summer adventures, talk about what it feels like when kids leave for college and the house suddenly gets a whole lot quieter, and then tackle a listener dilemma that may sound VERY familiar:

What do you do when your Mother-in-Law is always at your house... and you just want some space?

How do you set boundaries without hurting feelings?

We are talking privacy, family expectations and how to protect your relationships without turning your in-laws into outlaws.

We didn't always get along. Now we are the best of friends. And we have thoughts. Tune in and reach out @mustinlawsbeoutlaws and mustinlawsbeoutlaws@gmail.com

Summer hiatus Re-Release episode 4.

When a mother-in-law comes over and begins rearranging furniture, it can feel intrusive, or event disrespectful- even if her intentions are good. Only you can decide how important this issue truly is: sometimes letting small things go can preserve harmony, but when it affects your sense of family independence in your own home, it's important to set gentle, but clear boundaries.

Part 2 of our first ever LIVE podcast, we welcome guests: Spencer Pusey, 34 years old, autistic decoration specialist at Spectrum Designs, and a Port Washington native, and Kelli Fisher, 37 years old, autistic social media manager at Spectrum Designs.

Spectrum Designs is a nonprofit social enterprise that creates custom apparel and promotional products while providing meaningful employment opportunities for autistic adults and others with disabilities. Their mission is to prove that inclusion isn't charity—it's good business. Every order supports a workplace where neurodivergent employees earn competitive wages, build careers, and showcase their talents while delivering high-quality products to businesses and organizations nationwide.

The topic is Neurodiversity in Relationships: Understanding ADHD and Autism. We are honored to be joined by the incredible team from Spectrum Designs, Kelli Fisher and Spencer Pusey, who are helping us better understand autism and showing what's possible when people are valued for their unique strengths.

This topic is deeply personal to our family. Our close family members have ADHD and it's taught us that understanding how someone is wired can transform a relationship. Together with our special guests from Spectrum Designs and teen, Riley Bloomgarden, who shares her own personal experience with ADHD we will discuss:

• How differently wired brains experience the world
• Common communication misunderstandings
• Leading with curiosity instead of judgement

What happens when the people who once cared for us begin navigating their own vulnerabilities? In this candid discussion, Lucette, just weeks away from turning 84, shares her perspective on aging, purpose, family, and the future. Together we explore the emotional landscape of growing older and what adult children can learn by asking the questions that matter most.