5 Things / Hiatus
5 Things - 2025 Bernadette Smith 5 Things - 2025 Bernadette Smith

5 Things / Hiatus

I’ve been writing 5 Things for more than six years and have produced nearly 150 podcast episodes. That’s a lot of time spent chasing the good vibes. And now, I’m taking a break.

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5 Things / Outrage
5 Things - 2025 Bernadette Smith 5 Things - 2025 Bernadette Smith

5 Things / Outrage

I’m angry. But my outrage might look different from yours.

I live just outside Chicago, where ICE has been arresting (and then releasing) brown-skinned U.S. citizens, including nannies at a children’s museum, leaving the kids behind. Imagine that terror.

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5 Things / What’s your deal?
5 Things - 2025 Bernadette Smith 5 Things - 2025 Bernadette Smith

5 Things / What’s your deal?

My in-laws are visiting this weekend, and we’re close now, but years ago, my mother-in-law was less than enthused when I came into the picture. I’ll never forget my first real conversation with her. She said something to the effect of, “So what’s your deal?”

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