Getting laid off is one of those life events that can really throw you for a loop. It can leave you feeling blindsided, stressed, and wondering what you're supposed to do next. In this episode of Grown Up Stuff: How to Adult, Matt and Lea sit down with employment attorney Paige Sparks to answer all the questions that start racing through your head after a job loss: Do I get severance? Can I collect unemployment? What happens to my health insurance? And how do I know if my employer crossed a legal line?

Paige walks us through the practical stuff every adult should know, including severance agreements, COBRA, unemployment benefits, PTO payouts, and what to do with your 401(k). We also talk about the emotional side of being laid off: how to deal with the shock, avoid spiraling, stay motivated during a job search, and talk about your layoff in future interviews without feeling awkward or ashamed.

Whether you've just been laid off, you're worried it could happen, or you simply want to be prepared for one of life's less-fun surprises, this episode is packed with straightforward advice to help you protect yourself, make a plan, and move forward.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your home is supposed to be your safe place, but beware that many of the biggest safety risks are hiding in plain sight.

In this episode of Grown Up Stuff, Matt and Lea sit down with home inspector and safety expert Joe Mazza, who you might know from his HGTV shows. He talks about the risks most of us don't think about until something goes wrong. From smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to electrical hazards, radon, fire prevention, and emergency planning, Joe helps separate the truly important safety upgrades from the don't-waste-your-money ones.

Whether you're moving into your first apartment, buying a house, raising a family, or just trying to keep the place from falling apart, this episode is full of practical advice you can actually use. You'll learn the most common safety mistakes people make, what every home should have, and the simple steps that can make your home safer without breaking the bank.

Because being a grown-up means realizing that home safety is a lot more than remembering to lock the front door.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing up doesn’t come with instructions, so we made a podcast about figuring it out together.

Season 4 of Grown Up Stuff tackles the life skills, decisions, and responsibilities that suddenly become very real in adulthood. From bringing home a newborn for the first time to navigating international travel, buying the right smoke detectors, moving apartments, understanding investing, and protecting your finances, this season is all about the stuff nobody fully prepares you for.

Hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo talk with experts, professionals, and people who’ve learned things the hard way to break down the practical side of adult life without making it feel overwhelming. Along the way, they explore everything from home safety hidden dangers and jet lag survival to budgeting, relationships, parenting anxiety, and how to actually feel financially confident in your 20s and 30s.

Whether you’re trying to baby-proof your house, figure out a Roth IRA, survive a cross-country move, or simply feel a little less behind in life, Grown Up Stuff is here to help.

Because nobody totally knows what they’re doing...some people are just better at Googling it.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.