Greetings from The Sister Project
We’re Lauren Massarella and Michelle Anderson, Midwestern sisters from the same mister, and the dynamic duo behind Cozy Conversations with The Sister Project ® podcast.
Our podcast is the ultimate blend of info-tainment—born from a genuine desire to have more fulfilling, meaningful conversations. We discuss our lives, what we’re reading, watching, and listening to, to the news we think you should definitely know (because we’ve got opinions and we’re not afraid to share them).
Our commitment to cozy, mindful, well-being is strewn throughout each conversation. It’s funny, raw, and inspiring. We promise you will learn a little and laugh a lot.
At The Sister Project, our mission is to help you slow down, care less, and embrace the art of doing nothing. By slowing down and savoring life’s simple pleasures, you’ll find joy in the little things that make life truly wonderful.
Join us on this cozy journey as we find joy in the little things.
FAQs
Where can I listen to Cozy Conversations with The Sister Project?
Cozy Conversations with The Sister Project ® is streamable on every podcast streaming service including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and right HERE.
What is their podcast about?
Our podcast is the ultimate blend of info-tainment—born from a genuine desire to have more fulfilling, meaningful conversations. We discuss our lives, what we’re reading, watching, and listening to, to the news we think you should definitely know (because we’ve got opinions and we’re not afraid to share them).
Streamable everywhere. New episodes drop every Thursday.
How often do they release a new episode?
Tune in every Thursday for a new episode of Cozy Conversations with The Sister Project ®. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on your preferred streaming platform so you don’t miss a thing!
Another way to stay connected and up to date with our podcast is to receive our weekly newsletter. Sign up here.
Latest episodes
- by Lauren Massarella and Michelle Anderson
398 | Bring Back the 90s: When Conspiracy Theories Were Fun
Welcome back, WIFs.
This week, Lauren and Michelle continue their Bring Back the 90's series with a topic that feels almost impossible to imagine in today's world:
When conspiracy theories were actually fun.
Before social media rabbit holes, endless online debates, and doomscrolling your way into an existential crisis, conspiracy theories were the stuff of late-night conversations, tabloid headlines, and episodes of Unsolved Mysteries. They were weird, harmless, and just mysterious enough to spark your imagination.
In this episode, the sisters revisit some of the biggest conspiracy theories of the 90's—from Bigfoot sightings and the Loch Ness Monster to Roswell aliens, Area 51, the Bermuda Triangle, Amelia Earhart, and crop circles.
Most importantly, they reflect on the power of nostalgia and why revisiting simpler times feels so comforting right now. Sometimes it's not about whether the theories were true—it's about remembering a time when life felt a little lighter, a little slower, and a lot less complicated.
Press play, get cozy, and join Lauren and Michelle for a nostalgic trip back to a decade when conspiracy theories sparked curiosity instead of anxiety.
Because sometimes the mystery is more fun than the answer.
Resources:
A Cozy Night For Readers
- by Lauren Massarella and Michelle Anderson
Episode 1 | Bring Back the 90s: The Good Ole Days
Lauren and Michelle are kicking off a brand-new series that takes them straight back to one of the most beloved decades of all time:The 90's.Before smartphones. Before social media. Before everyone carried a tiny computer in their pocket.Back when Saturday mornings were reserved for cartoons, phone numbers lived in your memory, and the only way to find your friends was to hop on your bike and go looking for them.In this first installment of Bring Back the 90's, the sisters take a nostalgic walk down memory lane and revisit the little things that made growing up in the 90's feel so special and…better?Press play, get cozy, and join Lauren and Michelle as they begin their journey back to the good ole days.Because sometimes looking back reminds us of exactly what we've been missing.
Resources:
- by Lauren Massarella and Michelle Anderson
396 | What If You Started Tracking Joy Instead of Productivity?
Welcome back, WIFs!
This week, Lauren and Michelle explore a question that feels especially relevant in today's world: What if we've become experts at tracking our health, productivity, and performance—but forgotten to track the moments that actually make life meaningful?
Inspired by a thought-provoking New York Times article, the sisters unpack why so many of us obsess over sleep scores, fitness rings, and wellness metrics while overlooking the everyday experiences that bring us genuine happiness. From unforgettable conversations and spontaneous adventures to sunsets, favorite books, laughter, and time with the people we love, they consider what life might look like if we started measuring joy instead of perfection.
Along the way, they catch up on nostalgic beauty products, Trader Joe's skincare finds, growing gardens, and the simple pleasures that have been making life feel a little cozier lately. They also share what they're currently watching, listening to, and the small moments from the past week that reminded them happiness often lives in the ordinary.
Press play, get cozy, and join the conversation about redefining what truly matters, paying closer attention to the moments that make us feel alive, and creating a life that's rich in memories—not just metrics.
Because at the end of the day, the best things in life probably aren't meant to be optimized—they're meant to be experienced.
Resources:
This episode is sponsored by Let It Be Us and Chicago Private Wealth Group.
- by Lauren Massarella and Michelle Anderson
395 | Whatever, LOL: A Cozy Conversation About Generational Differences
Welcome back, WIFs!
This week, Lauren and Michelle dive into the fascinating world of generational differences after a nostalgic night at Stand By Me sparked a conversation about Gen X, Millennials, and the experiences that shaped each generation.
From drinking out of garden hoses and crafting the perfect AIM away message to navigating the transition from encyclopedias to smartphones, the sisters explore how childhood experiences influence the way we work, communicate, spend money, and view the world today.
Inspired by a thought-provoking conversation between psychologist Jean Twenge and The Psychology Podcast, Lauren and Michelle discuss the cultural forces that have shaped different generations, including the impact of the pandemic, changing social norms, evolving technology, and the ways people often misunderstand one another across age groups.
Press play, get cozy, and join the conversation about nostalgia, changing times, and finding appreciation for the generation you came from—and the ones that came before and after.
Because no matter your generation, we're all just trying to figure it out as we go.
Resources:
This episode is sponsored by Let It Be Us and Chicago Private Wealth Group.
- by Lauren Massarella and Michelle Anderson
394 | Why We Need More Laughter and Less Life Advice with Maggie Hughes DePalo
Welcome back, WIFs!
This week, Lauren and Michelle are joined by Chicago stand up comedian Maggie Hughes DePalo for a conversation that proves laughter might just be one of the best wellness tools we have. Known for her deadpan delivery and wildly relatable observations about marriage, motherhood, aging, and everyday life, Maggie has built a devoted audience by finding humor in the moments most of us are quietly living through.
Together, the sisters and Maggie dive into the absurdities of modern life. They discuss why comedy connects us, what makes everyday experiences so universally relatable, and how learning to laugh at ourselves can make life's challenges feel a little lighter.
The conversation also explores Maggie's journey into stand-up comedy, her thoughts on today's culture, the comedians who inspired her, and what it's like building a career around telling the truth—just with better punchlines.
Press play, get cozy, and join the conversation about finding humor in the chaos, embracing imperfection, and remembering that nobody has life completely figured out—even if it looks that way online.
Because sometimes the most comforting realization is that we're all just doing our best... and hopefully laughing along the way.
Guest: Maggie Hughes DePalo — Chicago stand up comedian, storyteller, and co-founder of All That Good Stuff Comedy.
Resources:
Maggie Hughes Depalo Tour Dates
This episode is sponsored by Let It Be Us and Chicago Private Wealth Group
- by Lauren Massarella and Michelle Anderson
393 | Are We Finally Tired of Optimizing Everything?
Welcome back, WIFs!
This week, Lauren and Michelle are exploring the newest wellness trend that's quietly pushing back against hustle culture: slowmaxxing.
After years of tracking every step, optimizing every habit, and trying to squeeze maximum productivity out of every hour, many people are craving something entirely different—a slower, simpler way of living.
In this episode, the sisters unpack why so many of us feel exhausted by constant self-improvement and why doing less suddenly feels so radical. They discuss slower summers, nostalgic 90s vibes, and the simple pleasures they're gravitating toward this season.
From front porch mornings and digital boundaries to reading for enjoyment and leaving white space on the calendar, Lauren and Michelle share practical ways to embrace a slower pace without feeling guilty about it.
The conversation also wanders into summer memories, the first week of school break, nostalgic movies and television, and their quest to create the most 90s summer possible.
Plus, Lauren shares her thoughts on reading Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café, the sisters discuss what they're currently watching, and celebrate the little things bringing them joy lately.
Press play, get cozy, and join the conversation about embracing simplicity, letting go of the pressure to optimize everything, and remembering that your worth isn't measured by your productivity.
Because sometimes the most productive thing you can do is absolutely nothing.
Resources:
This episode is sponsored by Let It Be Us and Chicago Private Wealth Group.
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