KFC, Chat Rooms & Dead Moms: A Millennial Friendship Reunion

In this very special episode of Introspectively Speaking, I’m joined by my childhood best friend Valerie—yes, from kindergarten in Ms. Levine’s class! We reunite on mic after decades of life, love, loss, and lemon on our chicken tenders.

From memories of Lisa Frank diaries and AIM boyfriends (shoutout to CritterMay1987 and a teddy bear that might’ve had a hidden camera) to losing our moms way too young and finding serendipity in grief—we laugh, cry, and sip fizzy drinks that nearly bust our eardrums.

We talk about journaling, processing big feelings, and rediscovering pieces of ourselves through old entries and unexpected reconnections. Valerie even shares a never-before-heard original song her parents recorded in the ‘90s called “South Beach.” Trust me, this one has it all: heart, humor, and a girl belting Dead Mom at a recital on Mother’s Day.

Topics We Cover:

• Kindergarten memories & KFC nostalgia

• AIM dating disasters and 90s-era heartbreak

• Losing our moms & how grief has shaped us

• The healing power of journaling (plus diary entries that made us wheeze)

• Reconnecting as adults after 20+ years

• A special music tribute from Valerie’s mom

Grab your emotional support drink and join us for this tender, hilarious, and very real catch-up. 💕

Keywords:
millennial friendship, 90s nostalgia podcast, childhood best friends, grieving your mom, Mother’s Day grief, journaling for healing, AIM stories, AOL chat room dating, diary entries podcast, music tribute to mom, South Beach Miami song, healing through memories, emotional podcast episodes, Introspectively Speaking