What happens when the pain someone is healing from… is the pain they inflicted? In this episode of Mocktails & Meltdowns, Kristie dives deep into the role of anger as a shield—why it shows up, what it’s hiding, and how it fits into the messy staircase of healing. Through powerful metaphors, relatable life lessons, and even a few movie scenes (Good Will Hunting, Frozen, A Star Is Born, and Silver Linings Playbook), you’ll see how anger isn’t the wound itself—it’s the bandage. You’ll also learn:✨ Why anger often replaces shame.✨ The 4 stages of the healing staircase.✨ How to recognize when someone (or even you) is stuck in anger.✨ The gentle truth: you don’t need someone else to heal for you to become whole. This week’s Mocktail of the Week is The Shield Dropper—a tart, sweet, and refreshing reminder that even sharp emotions can soften when we sip them slowly. 💛 Your Sip of Homework: Notice where anger might be acting as a bandage in your own life. Instead of ripping it off, ask: Am I ready to gently peel this back and see what’s underneath? Pour a glass, press play, and let’s peel back some layers together.

A heartfelt reflection on grief, unity, and finding light when the world feels heavy.

The very first episode of Mocktails & Meltdowns! Kristie shares the story behind the podcast, the messy moments that inspired it, and how laughter + honesty can turn life’s meltdowns into purpose.

Welcome to Mocktails & Meltdowns — the podcast where we keep the cocktails fake and the feelings real. I’m your host, Kristie, and before we dive into the deep stuff, I just want to say… I’m not here to pretend I’ve got it all figured out. I’ve got stories I’m not ready to share — even some of my closest friends don’t know them — but that doesn’t mean we can’t build something honest, healing, and maybe even hilarious together. So grab your favorite mocktail, take a deep breath, and let’s sip through the chaos, one meltdown at a time.