3LFPOD 85: I Want a (sleep) Divorce

What happens when a winter storm knocks out power, one sister goes dark, and the other two

are running on fumes?

You get one very real, very relatable episode of Three Lil Fishes.

This week, we’re down a fish. Lynne is stuck in Nashville without power thanks to a nearly country-wide winter storm, so Nancy and Kathy hold the fort—talking sleep, stress, family chaos, and what it really takes to reset when life feels off.

We start with the reality of exhaustion. Between caring for our mom after hip surgery, navigating emotional overload, and trying to function on very little sleep, it became clear: something had to change. That led us straight into a conversation about resetting your sleep—and why it matters more than we like to admit.

Which brings us to the concept everyone seems to be whispering about lately: sleep divorce.Sleeping separately.

Different schedules. Different needs. Same marriage.

Is it a marriage red flag? Or a survival strategy?

Kathy breaks down her very particular sleep routine—earplugs, airplane noise, sleep mask, pillow barriers, and zero tolerance for midnight phone scrolling.Nancy shares what happens when hormones, stress, and time changes collide and your brain simply won’t shut off. And yes, we also reveal that our parents quietly figured this out years ago.

The takeaway? There is no one-size-fits-all solution. But there is a cost to being chronically exhausted—and it shows up in your mood, your patience, and your relationships.

We also hit:

• Why winter storms throw everything off

• How people actually handle stress (spoiler: cleaning is a theme)

• What’s buzzing in pop culture right now

• And why getting honest about sleep might be the most adult thing you can do

And because no episode is complete without food…

What’s for Dinner? Piccata di pollo per René

This week's recipe is inspired by René. Lemon Piccata is a favorite of hers and we can't say we blame here. It's delicious, good protein, bright buttery flavor and carbs from the pasta.

Pour a glass of Sauvignon blanc and dive into the recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 chicken breasts⅓ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon fresh-cracked pepper

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil

• ½ cup lemon juice freshly squeezed

• ½ cup chicken stock

• 1 cup white wine

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided

• ¼ cup capers drained

• salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise then pound the chicken to flatten out.

2. Season chicken with salt and pepper then dredge in flour.

3. Add 2 tablespoons of avocado oil and two tbsp butter to a large pan on medium-high heat until butter is melted. Stirring to combine.

4. Cook chicken breast on each side for about 3 minutes or until golden brown.

5. Add the stock, wine, lemon juice, salt and pepper to the pan then bring to a boil while stirring to deglaze, reduce to a simmer and add the capers. Allow to reduce to desired thickness (about half) while stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

6. Return the chicken to the pan and spoon sauce over the chicken cutlets. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
   

Serve over capellini, linguine, fettucine or penne. They'll catch the buttery, lemony sauce best.

Fishes Out...

This episode is about what happens when life doesn’t slow down—but your body forces the issue. It’s about showing up tired, overwhelmed, and a little undone, and still choosing to take care of yourself and the people you love. It’s about sisters navigating stress, aging parents, shifting hormones, and the quiet truth that sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s survival. Beneath the humor and chaos is something deeper: permission to admit you’re exhausted, to reset without guilt, and to do whatever it takes to feel human again.