Why Am I Yelling? Musings from a middle-aged, menopausal mom
Welcome to Why Am I Yelling?âthe podcast for every middle-aged, menopausal mom (or anyone who loves one) trying to navigate the chaos of midlife without completely losing it. Hosted by Krista Rizzo, a mom, transformational coach, and professional yeller (mostly at inanimate objects), this show is all about the hilarity, frustration, and unexpected joys of this stage of life.
From hot flashes to parenting teens, marriage to career reinvention, and the absurd cost of everything, nothing is off-limits. Each episode features real talk, relatable stories, expert guests, and the segments youâll love:
đĽ "Are You KIDDING Me?" â A listener-submitted or personal rant about lifeâs latest ridiculousness.
đĄ "Hereâs the ThingâŚ" â Kristaâs unfiltered response, because sometimes you just need to tell it like it is.
So, if you're feeling overwhelmed, underappreciated, or just a little sweaty for no reason, youâre in the right place. Letâs laugh, vent, and figure this out together.
New episodes every [day of the week]! Subscribe now and join the conversation!
Want to share your own Are You KIDDING Me? moment? Send it in, and Krista just might feature (and yell about) it on the show!
Why Am I Yelling? Musings from a middle-aged, menopausal mom
Episode 6: Packing the Car and Your Feelings: When Your Kid Leaves for College
đ Youâve bought the twin XL sheets, the desk lamp, and enough granola bars to survive a minor apocalypse. But letâs be honest â this isnât just about packing your kidâs dorm room. Itâs about packing up 18 years of memories, pride, and maybe a little panic into the back of your SUV. Today, weâre talking about the emotional rollercoaster of sending your kid off to college â the ugly crying, the âdid I do enough?â spirals, and the strange new world of being a mom with one less mouth to feed. Whether youâre days away from drop-off or still recovering from last yearâs goodbye, this episode is part pep talk, part therapy session, and part reminder: youâre not losing them â youâre just giving them more room to grow⌠even if they still canât do laundry properly
đ Talking Points & Segments:
1. The Emotional Whiplash
Pride and excitement â sadness and grief â sudden joy â random crying at commercials.
Why this emotional cocktail is totally normal.
The identity shift when your role as a 24/7 parent changes overnight.
2. âDid I Do Enough?â Syndrome
That mental highlight reel of parenting âshould-haves.â
Reassurance that your work is already in them â even if they canât fold a fitted sheet.
3. Rewriting the Empty Nest Narrative
How to see this moment as an expansion of your life, not a loss.
New opportunities for rediscovery: passions, friendships, travel.
Why "empty nest" can mean âopen nestâ â space for new beginnings.
4. Boundaries, Texting & Letting Go (Sort Of)
Setting realistic communication expectations.
Avoiding âtext surveillance parenting.â
What healthy independence looks like for both sides.
5. The College Drop-Off Debrief
Funny, awkward, or emotional moments from real parents (listener submissions).
6. Life After Launch
Ideas for filling your time meaningfully.
Reconnecting with your partner, friends, or yourself.
Permission to dream bigger and invest in YOU.
Dinner tonight is sausage & peppers
If this episode made you laugh, cry, or feel just a little more understood, share it with another mom in the middle of this same crazy transition. And tell me â what was YOUR drop-off moment like? Send me your âConfessions from the Car Ride Homeâ on Instagram @whyamiyellingpod so we can cry-laugh together in a future episode.
I love you. â¤ď¸