This is a short but special episode.

The Rosie and Roula Show is taking a two-week break from publishing new episodes, and we want to bring you in on the moment.

Expect laughter, honesty, and an announcement that might inspire you to take a breath, too.

While we rest and recharge, we’ve curated a Starter Pack Playlist of fan-favorite and foundational episodes — perfect for new listeners or anyone wanting a re-listen.

We also want to hear from you, what are you doing this season?

Leave a voice message, send a note, or share a joke. It’s your turn on the mic.

📦 Starter Pack Episodes

🎧 If you’re new here (or want to share the show), start with these:

1. Rosie and Roula - Who Are We, Really?
2. Should Men Put The Toilet Seat Down?
3. How to Escape a Bad Conversation
4. Weird Phobias – What Freaks You Out?!
5. Botox – Is It For Vanity or Wellbeing?
6. Burps, Farts and Embarrassing Moments
7. Manspreading – Think Again Before You Do It
8. I Wish I Was a Little Bit Taller – Does Height Really Matter?
9. The Big Question – Do You Want to Have Kids?
10. Is Jealousy Actually Healthy?
11. To Shave or Not to Shave? That’s the Hairy Question
12. Marriage: Romance or Requirement?
13. How Rosie Met Roula: A Platonic Love Story

💌 Stay Connected

While we’re off the mic, we’d love to hear from you:

• Send us a voice message through our https://rosieandroula.com/starterpack

• Share a DM or tag us on Instagram: → @roula_abou_haidar → @rosieandroula

• Let us know: What are you doing this season? What’s on your mind? Got a burning question? Or a good joke?

🤍 Final Words

“Sometimes the dream is just being able to rest.”

We’ll be back soon, refreshed and ready with new episodes, thank you for listening, sharing, and being part of our community.

📲 Don’t forget to: ✅ Follow the podcast ⭐ Leave a rating & review 📩 Share it with a friend

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• 🎞️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel

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• 🎧 Check out Roula's podcast
• 🎧 Check out Rosie's podcast

If You Could Only Eat One Thing Forever... From air-fried loaded fries to ancient Ayurvedic staples, this week Rosie and Roula are tackling a truly delicious hypothetical: If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

But of course, it turns into more than just a food conversation. It’s about culture, comfort, memories, and the emotional power of the foods we grew up with. Whether it’s za’atar man’oushe made by Roula’s mum or butter chicken made from scratch, this is an episode that will leave you smiling and hungry.

This episode explores:

• The foods that define who we are
• Why some dishes feel like “home”
• Cultural flavors we crave and can’t live without
• The difference between obsession, comfort, and nostalgia
• From Middle Eastern spice blends to Indonesian soups to Aussie slang for “sandwich,” this episode is part food diary, part love letter to tradition and a reminder that the simplest meals can carry the most meaning.

Takeaways

• Roula's favorite food is Lebanese Man'oushe with za'atar.
• Rosie's current obsession is loaded fries with various toppings.
• Cultural backgrounds influence food preferences and choices.
• The idea of eating only one food for life feels limiting.
• Homemade meals are often preferred over restaurant dining.
• Food can evoke memories and cultural connections.
• Listeners are encouraged to share their favorite foods.
• Exploring different cuisines can inspire new cooking ideas.
• Cooking at home allows for creativity and personalization.
• The conversation emphasizes the joy of sharing meals with others.

Keywords

food, culture, cooking, preferences, global cuisines, health, dining, recipes, Mediterranean, Asian

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• 🎧 Check out Rosie's podcast

Is It Really That Hard to Follow Your Dreams?

We grow up hearing “follow your dreams” like it’s a fairytale ending. But what if the problem starts with the word dream itself?

In this follow-up episode, Rosie and Roula unpack why we often put our biggest hopes on the back burner and how fear, timing, and language all play a role. From childhood fantasies of owning land or finding peace, to the simple bravery of going to a concert alone, this is an honest, warm, sometimes hilarious conversation about why some dreams feel too fragile to speak aloud… and what happens when we do anyway.

This episode explores:

• Why calling it a dream might set us up to fail
• The tension between longing and reality
• The courage it takes to act on something meaningful even if it’s small
• How unspoken dreams shape who we become
• Whether your dream is to move into a van, see your favorite artist solo, or leave everything you know behind to find peace this one's for you.

Takeaways

• Dreams can be small and meaningful.
• We often make achieving our dreams seem harder than it is.
• The term 'dream' can set us up for failure.
• Personal stories can inspire others to pursue their dreams.
• Courage and willingness to take risks are essential in making dreams come true.
• Not achieving a dream doesn't equate to failure.
• Dreams can change over time based on our life circumstances.
• The beauty of some dreams is in their aspiration rather than their fulfillment.
• Community support can play a crucial role in achieving dreams.
• Belonging and connection are vital in the pursuit of dreams.

Keywords

dreams, aspirations, personal growth, fulfillment, motivation, courage, storytelling, community, self-discovery, resilience

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• 🎧 Check out Roula's podcast
• 🎧 Check out Rosie's podcast

Dreams That Don’t Look Like Dreams

A concert. A car ride. A voice from your teenage years.

This week, Rosie and Roula explore how the smallest experiences like seeing Alanis Morissette live can crack open memories, grief, healing, and joy.

What starts as a catch-up turns into a beautiful conversation about loss, growth, and the power of fulfilling tiny, meaningful dreams. Roula reflects on how Alanis’ music became a way to grieve her mother, while Rosie brings her Gen X reverence and TikTok chaos into the mix.

It’s a love letter to music, memory, and the underrated art of doing something just for you.

This episode explores:

How songs anchor us to past versions of ourselves

The power of doing something alone — just because you want to

Why small joys often carry the biggest emotional weight

What makes a dream “valid,” even if no one claps for it

If you’ve ever cried at a concert, driven just to feel something, or needed a reminder that your dreams don’t need to be big to be real — this one’s for you.

Takeaways

• The concert was a dream come true for Roula.
• Music can evoke deep emotional connections and memories.
• Experiencing live music can be transformative and healing.
• Alanis Morissette's activism resonates with her audience.
• Dreams can be small yet meaningful.
• The presence of supportive men at the concert was uplifting.
• Personal growth often comes from confronting emotions.
• Fashion can reflect one's state of mind during recordings.
• Live streaming can create new opportunities for engagement.
• Sharing experiences can foster deeper connections.

Keywords

Alanis Morissette, concert experience, dreams, live streaming, personal growth, emotional connection, music impact, feminism, self-discovery, meaningful moments

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• 🎧 Check out Roula's podcast
• 🎧 Check out Rosie's podcast

In this raw and real episode, we peel back the layers and ask: what are you secretly embarrassed you can't do? From Roula’s fear of swimming pools to Rosie’s history with self-harm, we get vulnerable about the parts of ourselves we usually keep hidden—and why we’ve decided to speak up now.

We talk about:

– The fear of being seen differently after opening up

– Why we avoid shame by staying silent

– Learning new things later in life (and feeling behind)

– How trauma shapes what we’re willing to share

– Finding freedom in honesty—even when it’s scary

This one’s not easy, but it’s full of heart.

What’s something you’ve never told anyone because you were too embarrassed? If it feels safe, we’d love to hear it.

Takeaways

• Rosie shares her van life experience and plans for renovation.
• Roula reveals her fear of swimming and the embarrassment surrounding it.
• Both hosts discuss the impact of judgment on their fears.
• Rosie opens up about her history of self-harm.
• The conversation emphasizes the importance of sharing vulnerabilities.
• Roula expresses feeling alone in her swimming fears.
• Rosie reassures Roula that she is brave for sharing her fears.
• They discuss how past experiences shape present feelings.
• The hosts encourage listeners to own their narratives.
• The episode highlights the power of connection through shared experiences.

Keywords

van life, swimming fears, self-harm, vulnerability, personal growth, overcoming fears, TikTok, friendship, mental health, sharing experiences

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• ⭐️ Leave us a review
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• 🎞️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel

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• 🎧 Check out Roula's podcast
• 🎧 Check out Rosie's podcast

We tackle the messy meaning of “selfish.” Is it always a bad thing, or have we just been taught to feel guilty for putting ourselves first? From mum guilt and solo living envy to backhanded compliments and babysitting dilemmas, this episode digs into when selfishness becomes self-respect—and when it crosses a line.

We explore:

– What makes someone “selfish”… and who gets to decide

– How boundaries and burnout intersect

– Why single people might be better at self-care

– The difference between cold-hearted and clear-headed

– Why we need a new word for healthy selfishness

Go on, be a little selfish. You might just feel better for it.

When was the last time you were selfish—and proud of it?

Takeaways

• Selfishness can have both positive and negative connotations.
• Putting oneself first is sometimes necessary for mental health.
• Cultural perceptions of selfishness often stem from upbringing.
• Self-care is essential, but it can be viewed as selfish.
• Setting boundaries is a form of healthy selfishness.
• The definition of selfishness lacks nuance in societal discussions.
• Relationships require a balance between self-care and caring for others.
• Motherhood often complicates perceptions of selfishness.
• Being single may allow for more opportunities to practice selfishness.
• Selfishness should not be viewed solely as a negative trait.

Keywords

egoism, selfishness, self-care, relationships, boundaries, personal needs, motherhood, self-awareness, mental health, compassion

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This one's for the Gen X-ers. Roula and Rosie dive into what’s really going on with the “forgotten generation”—from outdated work mindsets to evolving parenting styles. Is Gen X caught between progress and pride? Do they envy the freedom Millennials and Gen Z are claiming? And how do we move forward without getting stuck in blame?

We get into:

– Why Gen X might feel left behind

– The impact of fear-based parenting and social media

– Whether trailblazers are now resistant to change

– How every generation has its blind spots (and brilliance)

– Why cross-generational empathy matters more than ever

We don’t want a generational war. We want a group hug. Well... maybe a group side-eye and then a hug.

Which generation are you, and do you feel seen?

Takeaways

• Millennials often blame Baby Boomers rather than Gen X.
• Generational blame is not helpful; empathy is needed.
• Gen X faced challenges from their upbringing and societal changes.
• Millennials value work-life balance more than previous generations.
• Gen X may feel stuck between traditional values and modern expectations.
• The importance of understanding and adapting to technology in parenting.
• Generational differences can lead to misunderstandings and conflict.
• Celebrating the strengths of each generation can foster better relationships.
• The role of social media in shaping the perspectives of younger generations.
• Personal growth comes from challenging beliefs and engaging in open conversations.

Keywords

Generational differences, Gen X, Millennials, parenting, societal change, empathy, work culture, technology, social media, family dynamics

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Roula dropped a spicy take last episode—and now we’re unpacking it. Do younger generations *actually* lack resilience, or are they just pushing back on the crap Gen X put up with? In this episode, we dive into generational parenting styles, quality of life, and whether facing fewer hardships means you’re less capable… or just luckier.

We explore:

– The impact of parenting that shields kids from struggle

– How hardship and privilege can coexist

– The mental load of growing up online

– Why Gen Z and Millennials get labeled ‘soft’—and whether it’s fair

– The difference between helping someone and removing their accountability

Takeaways

• Roula believes that Gen Z and millennials have not faced true hardship.
• Parenting styles have changed, leading to children not learning to solve their own problems.
• Social media has impacted face-to-face conflict resolution skills.
• Quality of life influences the development of life skills.
• Roula's daughters have experienced hardship through family divorce, but enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.
• There is a distinction between hardship and quality of life.
• Poverty still exists, but it may be hidden in society.
• Generational differences in accountability are evident in how problems are approached.
• The conversation aims to bridge generational gaps and foster understanding.
• Listeners are encouraged to contribute their thoughts on these topics.

We're not here to cancel anyone. We’re here to poke the bear and get the convo flowing.

So… are we over-protecting the next generation or evolving for the better?

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