In this deeply personal and refreshingly funny episode of My Daughter, My Friend, Adrienne and Alanna are back with a mix of cozy fall adventures and raw real talk.

From pumpkin-shaped cocoa bombs to clams by the water, they recount stories from their mother-daughter road trip through Connecticut, Salem, and Southbridge. But it’s more than nostalgia—Alanna opens up about her time at PACE, feeling invisible despite being a top student, and the painful experience of having decisions made for her by both adults and friends.

The duo also dives into how their relationship evolved through teenage years filled with anxiety, skipped school, and hard lessons—and how they've come out the other side stronger, funnier, and truly as friends.

Whether you're a parent, a teen, or somewhere in between, this episode is packed with honest insight, heartwarming memories, and some serious mic-drop moments from 19-year-old Alanna.

🔑 Key Topics:

• 🎃 Are pumpkin cocoa bombs really worth $6?
• 🛣️ Road trip stories from Connecticut to Salem
• 🐾 Moo & Mina the garlic-loving pups
• 😬 Driving anxiety and building confidence
• 🧠 School struggles, anxiety, and adult bullying
• 🙅‍♀️ The harm of assumptions: “Don’t decide for me”
• 🎓 PACE School, GRACE goals, and being overlooked
• 💔 When adults fail teens—and how to heal anyway
• 📖 Alanna’s first book on insecurity and comparison
• 💡 Advice for helping teens with anxiety: ask, don’t assume

✨ Powerful Quotes:

“Just because someone struggles with anxiety doesn’t mean they don’t want the invite. Let them decide.” – Alanna

“Imagine doing all the work to reach the top… and not being given the opportunity to speak, lead, or even be seen.” – Adrienne

📌 Takeaways:

• Don’t assume what someone will or won’t enjoy based on their personality—always offer the experience.
• Kids with anxiety want to grow. They just need safe chances to try.
• Recognition matters—especially when teens work hard for it.
• Some friendships between moms and daughters come after the hardest years.
• Podcasting can be healing—and so is laughter.

📝 Mentioned:

• Life360 App (Gold version)
• Trusted Housesitters
• Salem graveyard walks (yes, really)
• Katastic Learning & Churchill’s Village Eatery
• Sam the Clams seafood stop
• PACE School for girls & the GRACE behavior board
• Adrienne’s book Unscripted Brilliance (out now!)
• Alanna’s upcoming book on insecurity & growth

📬 Be Our Guest:

Have a mother-daughter story to share? Want to be a guest on the show? 👉 Email: adrienne@adriennebarker.com

❤️ Closing Reminder:

“It's okay to not be friends with your mom. Just be friends with yourself.”