Mini-Ep 422: Midlife Pivots Galore

Summary

Forever35 Podcast
Mini-Episode 422: Midlife Pivots Galore
Release Date: December 4, 2024

Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu

---

Introduction

In this special mini-episode of Forever35, co-hosts Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu delve into listener contributions, sharing personal stories, answering questions, and exploring midlife pivots with their characteristic humor and warmth. This episode, titled "Midlife Pivots Galore," offers a rich tapestry of experiences that resonate with anyone navigating the complexities of self-care and personal growth in midlife.

---

Thanksgiving Tales

Family Visits and Holiday Feasts

Doree shares her experience of hosting her parents for Thanksgiving, highlighting both the joys and challenges of having extended family in a smaller home.

• Doree Shafrir [06:29]: "My parents visit was lovely and I'm really glad that they came, but it's also like, exhausting to have two people in your house. Your, like, not so big house. But it was mostly fine."

She particularly appreciates the bond between her parents and her son, Henry, noting their sweet interactions.

• Doree Shafrir [06:56]: "They have a very, like, sweet relationship with him, and that was really nice. Especially my mom, who can, like, really engage with him."

Elise adds her perspective on the Thanksgiving buffet, emphasizing the communal joy of shared foods like crab legs.

• Elise Hu [07:24]: "I have not tried the Trader Joe's hair oil, but I will say that I do love the serum."

The hosts discuss their family dynamics and the whirlwind of the holiday season, touching on preparations for the upcoming school term.

---

Shoulder Mishaps

Elise's Unexpected Injury

Elise recounts a painful incident during Pilates where she dislocated her shoulder for the third time. Her narrative is both vivid and humorous, showcasing her resilience.

• Elise Hu [03:00]: "The first time, it was blinding pain. And I was on the coast of Ireland overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at a medieval fort."

She describes the dramatic scene in her Pilates class and the swift assistance from her friend, Dr. Jen.

• Elise Hu [04:42]: "She was like, where are you? I can get to you. But somehow, as we're on the phone, it, like, went back and thank God..."

Despite the pain, Elise maintains a light-hearted tone, mentioning her upcoming appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.

• Elise Hu [05:29]: "It's like a leopard colony over here. Yeah, it's a whole situation."

Doree empathizes with Elise's ordeal, emphasizing the importance of professional medical advice.

• Doree Shafrir [23:19]: "Consult a professional."

---

Listener Stories and Experiences

1. Free Eating on the Train

A listener named Katie from Massachusetts shares her discomfort with an individual eating openly on the commuter rail.

• Listener [10:11]: "Someone is literally free bowling on the train... I can hear the clink of dishware, slash, fork, smack of eating."

Elise adds her thoughts on public eating etiquette, expressing mixed feelings about the listener's perspective.

• Elise Hu [10:43]: "It could be more gross or less gross."

2. Nature Prescriptions

A Canadian nurse provides insight into the effectiveness of outdoor time as a complementary treatment for depression and anxiety.

• Listener [16:08]: "30 minutes of outdoor time a day is almost as effective as an SSRI."

Elise acknowledges the growing recognition of nature's therapeutic benefits.

• Elise Hu [17:19]: "It can keep you out of the doctor's office... It is so helpful."

3. Midlife Writing Romance Novels

Samantha Brin shares her journey of writing romance novels in midlife, finding community and fulfillment through her creative pursuits.

• Samantha Brin [18:15]: "I finally did something I really wanted to do and it was to write novels."

Doree celebrates Samantha's achievement, highlighting the empowering nature of midlife pivots.

• Doree Shafrir [19:05]: "I love the midlife pivot. I love the books."

4. Starting a Dance Company

Another listener describes her experience launching a local adaptation of The Nutcracker, balancing it with her responsibilities as a parent.

• Listener [19:41]: "I helped start a dance company... It's been like a second full-time job."

Elise and Doree commend her for fostering community and pursuing passion projects.

• Elise Hu [21:07]: "Makes me feel my heart feel happy."

5. Diastasis Recti Solutions

Lauren from Savannah seeks advice on managing split abdominal muscles post-pregnancy.

• Listener [22:14]: "Elise had to pause the pod regarding... split abs."

Doree and Elise share their personal experiences, recommending pelvic floor physical therapy as an effective solution.

• Elise Hu [22:49]: "A pelvic floor physical therapist is the doc to see."

6. Traveling to Paris and Recommendations

A longtime listener from New York requests travel tips for her upcoming trip to Paris, expressing appreciation for past recommendations.

• Listener [23:02]: "Could I put in a request for Glynis McNichols Paris recommendations..."

Elise assures her that the recommendations will be shared in the show notes, fostering a sense of community among listeners.

• Elise Hu [24:09]: "I have the list, so I'll. I sent it over to Sammy..."

7. Debate on Trader Joe's Hair Serum

The hosts address differing opinions on Trader Joe's hair serum, prompted by listener feedback.

• Listener [27:34]: "It's a daily use product for me... I really like it."

Elise and Doree engage in a lighthearted discussion, demonstrating the diverse preferences among their audience.

• Elise Hu [27:40]: "You definitely need to do that for science."

Doree adds humor by mentioning their holiday preparations alongside the debate.

• Doree Shafrir [30:48]: "It's the thought that counts."

---

Host Reflections

Throughout the episode, Doree and Elise reflect on their own experiences and the broader themes of midlife transitions. They emphasize the importance of pursuing passions, seeking professional help when needed, and finding joy in everyday moments.

• Doree Shafrir [25:21]: "You do need to do that for science. It is a necessity."

• Elise Hu [22:22]: "It's very common and a lot of moms just suffer through it. But some simple exercises can really make it go away."

Their conversations are interspersed with moments of vulnerability and encouragement, creating an engaging and relatable narrative for listeners.

---

Conclusion

In "Midlife Pivots Galore," Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu offer a heartfelt exploration of the various ways individuals navigate midlife changes. From personal injuries and family dynamics to entrepreneurial ventures and health concerns, this episode encapsulates the essence of Forever35: embracing self-care, fostering connections, and finding laughter amidst life's challenges. Whether you're considering a new hobby, dealing with physical setbacks, or simply seeking community, this episode provides valuable insights and inspiration.

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Notable Quotes:

• Elise Hu [03:00]: "The first time, it was blinding pain... I had to hike back with this situation."
• Doree Shafrir [19:05]: "I love the midlife pivot. I love the books."
• Elise Hu [17:19]: "It can keep you out of the doctor's office... It is so helpful."

---

Join the Conversation

Have a story or question for the hosts? Reach out via text at 781-591-0390, email at forever35podcastmail.com, or connect on Instagram @forever35podcast. Share your midlife pivots and become part of the Forever35 community!

Transcript

[Narrator]

They say opposites attract. That's why the Sleep number smart bed is the best bed for couples. You can each choose what's right for you whenever you like. You like a bed that feels firm but they want soft. Sleep number does that. You want to sleep cooler while they like to feel warm. Sleep number does that too. Why choose a sleep number smart bed so you can choose your ideal comfort on either side. And now it's the lowest price of the season on the top selling i8 smart bed your best savings plus special financing limited time shop a sleep number store near you. See store or sleepnumber.com for details. Whether you're in your running era, Pilates era, or yoga era, dive into peloton workouts that work with you. From meditating at your kids game to mastering a strength program, they've got everything you need to keep knocking down your goals. No pressure to be who you're not. Just workouts and classes to strengthen who you are. So no matter your era, make it your best with peloton. Find your push. Find your power peloton visit1peloton.com.

[Dory Shafrir]

Hello and welcome to Forever 35, a podcast about the things we do to take care of ourselves. I'm Dory Shafrier.

[Elise Hu]

And I'm Elise Hu. And we're just two friends who like to talk a lot about serums.

[Dory Shafrir]

And this is a mini episode where we hear from you, we share your comments and your thoughts, and we answer your questions to the best of our ability. Please remember we are podcast hosts. We are not medical or mental health experts, and we always encourage you to seek support first and foremost from a medical and or mental health professional as needed.

[Elise Hu]

And speaking of medical professionals, let me just talk up our Monday episode with Dr. Ariana Scholes. Douglas Gosh, the capstone of our midlife and menopause month. Yes, she is a medical doctor.

[Dory Shafrir]

She is an ob.

[Elise Hu]

Gyn. OB gyn. And she specializes in menopause care and perimenopause care. Yes, excellent.

[Dory Shafrir]

I highly I highly, highly, highly recommend listening to her episode. How are you doing post Thanksgiving?

[Elise Hu]

My shoulder popped out this morning.

[Dory Shafrir]

Oh no.

[Elise Hu]

There was some drama in Pilates class.

[Dory Shafrir]

Oh no.

[Elise Hu]

And then it kind of freaked out my Pilates instructor because she was like, oh my God, I can see it.

[Dory Shafrir]

Ah.

[Elise Hu]

Because when your shoulder dislocates, oh my God, it's not in the socket.

[Dory Shafrir]

Ah. I feel like we need a trigger warning. This is so. I'm sorry. I know it's probably more upsetting for you than it is for me. To hear about it, but.

[Elise Hu]

And then I have never seen it actually myself, because this is the third time I've dislocated the same shoulder. The first time, it was blinding pain. And I was on the coast of Ireland overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at a medieval fort. And so I had to hike back with this situation. And the first time was the most painful today. It was like, oh, I felt my shoulder dislocate, and I knew what happened, but I also didn't know how to get it back because, yeah, it was like a whole situation. But I. I kind of. You know how when people are choking and they, like, find something to gird themselves against?

[Dory Shafrir]

Yes.

[Elise Hu]

So I put, like, kind of tummy first right against the Pilates box. I think that's what they call it, the box. It's on top of the reformer. And I just, like, pushed my body forward onto the box, and then it somehow readjusted my shoulder and got it back in.

[Dory Shafrir]

But I hadn't ever, oh, my God.

[Elise Hu]

Had to do that before. So anyway, I was really nauseous, and then, yeah, I. It was like a whole thing. And then everybody's just, like, doing their reformer movements, trying to put my shoulder back in. My God, it was a whole scene, except it was, like a drama that was playing out just for me. It was probably because I was trying to not disrupt the class, right?

[Dory Shafrir]

Like, they. No one realized quite what was happening.

[Elise Hu]

I mean, the instructor came right over and she was like, what can I do? Do I need help? She's like, I don't know what. How to help you. And she gave me my phone, and I somehow.

[Listener]

My E.R.

[Elise Hu]

Dr. Bestie, Dr. Jen, she had her phone on, and she picked up on the first ring, and I was like, my shoulders out again. And she, like, instructed me on what to do. And she was like, where are you? I can get to you. But somehow, as we're on the phone, it, like, went. Went back and thank God, because the second time she had to, like, rush over. And the longer your shoulder's dislocated, the longer, like, everything's pushed around, right? Like, all the joints and ligaments are all pushed around. They're not in the right place.

[Dory Shafrir]

Oh, my God.

[Elise Hu]

The fact that it didn't take that long means that it wasn't that painful. So I'm not sitting here, like, with a sling, even though I need to be in one, and I need to be on ibuprofen and everything. But really, I already have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon this week for my Other shoulder. The one that was crashed into by the bike.

[Dory Shafrir]

Hold on. This is not bike related.

[Elise Hu]

No, this is my right shoulder. The one that's just hypermobile.

[Dory Shafrir]

Oh, shit. Okay. I just assumed that this was your bike.

[Elise Hu]

Different side shoulder. Different side bike shoulder is left shoulder that pops out is right.

[Dory Shafrir]

So. So I will. I will.

[Elise Hu]

It's like a leopard colony over here. Yeah, it's a whole situation.

[Dory Shafrir]

Oh, my God.

[Elise Hu]

I know. Anyway, so, yeah, that. That's my update post Thanksgiving. How about you? But enough about this.

[Dory Shafrir]

Holy crap.

[Elise Hu]

I know, I know, I know.

[Dory Shafrir]

Wow.

[Elise Hu]

There's. There's so many other things I could update you on. And we will save that for the casual chat, which will be available on our Patreon on Friday. But tell me about your parents visit and your big Thanksgiving buffet.

[Dory Shafrir]

My parents visit was lovely and I'm really glad that they came, but it's also like, exhausting to have two people in your house. Your, like, not so big house. But it was mostly. It was mostly fine. I think Henry was really glad that they were here. They have a very, like, sweet relationship with him, and that was really nice. Especially my mom, who can, like, really engage with him.

[Elise Hu]

Great.

[Dory Shafrir]

My dad is like. It doesn't come naturally to him. Let's just put it that way. And Thanksgiving was, I think, everything my parents were hoping and dreaming of. Like, they. They clearly wanted like a buffet. Like, what I think what they really wanted was like a Las Vegas buffet. You know what I mean? They wanted that sort of level of.

[Elise Hu]

Special, like with the crab legs and everything.

[Listener]

Yeah.

[Dory Shafrir]

And this buffet had crab legs. Like, my mom is notorious for going ham on some crab legs.

[Elise Hu]

Yes.

[Dory Shafrir]

At a buffet.

[Elise Hu]

So.

[Dory Shafrir]

So as soon as I saw that this buffet had crab legs, I was like, okay, she's on board.

[Listener]

Yeah.

[Elise Hu]

That's a high value item.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Elise Hu]

You don't want to bother with starches. You want to go to the high value items. That's the way to get the most out of a buffet.

[Dory Shafrir]

Exactly. I personally do not love crab legs, so I did not partake, but I did partake in the sushi, which was pretty decent actually. Great. So, yeah. So it was. It was lovely. And. Yeah. So that was. That was Thanksgiving. I would say I was ready for Henry to go back to school today.

[Elise Hu]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Listener]

Man.

[Elise Hu]

I was so relieved when I woke up and it was Monday, finally. Because when they're not in school for so long, this is like that week between Christmas and New Year's where it's just like, what day is it?

[Dory Shafrir]

And I was literally like, the same.

[Elise Hu]

Clothes from four days ago.

[Dory Shafrir]

Yeah, I. I am, like. I. It's just. It's a lot of entertaining him because he's not. Unless he's, like, watching tv, which, you know, he did a lot of. He's not really entertaining himself. He's, you know, he's just reading, so he's not. But he's not, like, reading books on his own, so. And he's an only child, so there's, like, no one else to play with. And when you're like, go play by yourself, he's like, so, you know, I know there will come a day where he just goes to his room and, like, slams the door and is, like, alone. But. But now I. I would, like, love for that to happen.

[Elise Hu]

Well, especially if he's a reader, too, you know, like, if he ends up being a reader, he'll be able to go into those worlds. I don't have any readers. None of my girls really love reading. They're fine at it, you know, and they will, but. And. But I feel like I still have to make them. And it makes me sad because I loved. And I wonder if it's kind of a product of our modern times, you know, because I have a lot of friends who are like, yep, my kids don't really like to read either. And it's because they have other. They have devices. They have other things that could. Or electronics, even that. That can engage them.

[Dory Shafrir]

Yeah.

[Elise Hu]

In more ways or in more exciting ways to them. But I just remember, like, disappearing for hours into a book, you know, and doing that very young. And it made me sad, especially when my eldest was, like, not doing that. I'm like, oh, how can you be a daughter of mine? But they're their own people. They have their own things.

[Dory Shafrir]

They are. They are. It's so true.

[Elise Hu]

For those of you who did get to have some time off, we hope it was restful.

[Dory Shafrir]

Indeed, we did get a text that I want to share before we take a break. Sure. It is from a listener named Katie. And this listener says, on the North Shore in Massachusetts, riding the commuter rail to work, and someone is literally free bowling on the train. And it might be the grossest thing I've ever heard. I can hear the clink of dishware, slash, fork, smack of eating. Smell the food. I'm all for free mugging, but this might be the limit when it involves the public. Have a good day.

[Elise Hu]

What food was it, though?

[Dory Shafrir]

Great. Gross.

[Elise Hu]

I mean, it could be more gross or less gross.

[Dory Shafrir]

The cling of dishware and fork is sort of sending me, as they say, because, like, that indicates actively, like, this person actively brought a real fork, like, from home to eat on the train. Now, listen, I don't know what this person's life is like. Maybe there's a reason why they didn't have time to eat at home and they just have to eat on the train. But I agree, this would, like, really gross me out. And I did send it to our resident free mugger, Kate Spencer. Mm.

[Elise Hu]

What did she have to say?

[Dory Shafrir]

She was impressed with this. With this person. Free. Free bowling.

[Elise Hu]

The nerve.

[Dory Shafrir]

Yes, the nerve. I know. I know. All right, well, we love any free eating or drinking sightings. Send them along. You can send those. You can text those to us at 781-591-0390 like Katie did. Or call us at 781-591-0390. You can email us at forever35podcastmail.com. We also have our website, forever35podcast.com we have links there to everything we mention on the show. We are on Instagram @forever35podcast. We have our [e-mail] newsletter and you can shop our favorite products at shopmy us. Slash Forever35 and we will be right back.

[Elise Hu]

We'll be right back.

[Dory Shafrir]

Let's make a resolution to save more money in 2025. I gotta say, every year we make resolutions. Some we stick to, some we don't. I've tried to keep my desk clean and yeah, never quite make it through the year. Never quite make it through the month. But when you can make things automatic, that's how you make resolutions stick. Acorns makes it easy to start automatically saving and investing so your money has a chance to grow for you, your kids and your retirement. With just five minutes, you can set up a healthy money habit that takes others years to learn. You don't need to be an expert. Acorns will recommend a diversified portfolio that fits you and your money goals. You don't need to be rich. Acorns lets you invest with the spare money you've got right now. You can start with $5 or even just your spare change. You don't need to feel like financial wellness is impossible. Acorns gives you small, simple steps to get you and your money on track. Head to acorns.comforever35 or download the Acorns app to start saving and investing for your future Today. Paid client endorsement compensation provides incentive to positively promote Acorns tier one compensation provided investing involves risk. Acorns Advisors LLC and SEC registered investment advisor. View important [e-mail] Forever35 this episode is.

[Listener]

Brought to you by BetterHelp. December is all about getting cozy. I already feel cozy, whether it means warm beverages, soft blankets, or time with your loved ones. And I think you should consider adding therapy to your list too, if you're not already seeing a therapist. Knowing I can talk to somebody about anything has always been a comfort to me when I'm in therapy. Learning coping skills, boundary setting, or even just a little bit more about myself brings me comfort. It's also helped me grow over the years to better know myself. It's strengthened my relationships. It is comfort that never goes away, even when the season changes. So if you're thinking of starting therapy, you can give better help a try. It's entirely online. It's designed to be convenient and flexible. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist and you can switch therapists anytime for no additional charge. Find comfort this December with better help. Visit betterhelp.com forever35 today to get 10% off your first month. That's better. H E L p.com forever35.

[Narrator]

They say opposites attract. That's why the Sleep number smart bed is the best bed for couples. You can each choose what's right for you whenever you like. You like a bed that feels firm, but they want soft Sleep number does that. You want to sleep cooler while they like to feel warm. Sleep number does that too. Why choose a sleep number Smart bed so you can choose your ideal comfort on either side. And now it's the lowest price of the season on the top selling i8 smart your best savings plus special financing limited time shop a sleep number store near you. See store or sleepnumber.com for details. Whether you're in your running era, Pilates era or yoga era, dive into peloton workouts that work with you. From meditating at your kids game to mastering a strength program, they've got everything you need to keep knocking down your goals. No pressure to be who you're not, just workouts and classes to strengthen who you are. So no matter your era, make it your best with Peloton. Find your push. Find your power peloton visit1peloton.com.

[Dory Shafrir]

All right, we are back. We got a voicemail that I want to play.

[Listener]

Hi, my first time calling in, but I am one of your longtime listeners from Canada and I had to pause the episode with Caroline Paul when she's talking about Nature Prescription because we do do that in Canada. I've been a nurse for many years. I'm in my almost finished nurse practitioner school, and 30 minutes of outdoor time a day is almost as effective as an SSRI. And I'm not telling people to stop your SSRIs because, you know, don't do that. And they're. They're great. But we have a program. I'm not sure if it's still going on, but it was a nature prescription program where we can prescribe outdoor time, essentially. And it was for people to get a part to Canada Pass if they were financially unable to purchase one themselves. They can be pretty expensive.

[Elise Hu]

Yeah.

[Listener]

So what she's saying is totally correct. And maybe things are moving the right direction a little bit. I mean, that it's safe, everyone has time and whatnot to go in nature. Anyway, just thought I would call in.

[Dory Shafrir]

Bye.

[Listener]

Bye.

[Elise Hu]

That's wonderful. It can keep you out of the doctor's office. Or. Um, it can. So it can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety and all those things. And it's just about getting outside. I have had therapists who are very focused on like, well, are you getting 30 minutes of exercise a day, you know, or are you getting outdoors? But it's rare. It's rare. It's not as common as you would think it could be because it is so helpful.

[Dory Shafrir]

Yes.

[Elise Hu]

But.

[Dory Shafrir]

Yes, yes.

[Elise Hu]

That voicemail was in response to one of our November episodes with Caroline Paul. And I know I was just talking up Dr. Ariana, but also go back and listen to Caroline Paul. Also an excellent one.

[Dory Shafrir]

Also an excellent one. Such a good one. Moving on. We got a text from the listener who wrote in about how she was writing romance in midlife.

[Elise Hu]

Oh, yes. Like the career pivot. Yes, it was the career pivot. And she was like, I did something new.

[Dory Shafrir]

Yes.

[Elise Hu]

I. I finally did something I really wanted to do and it was to write novels. And writing romance novels, I have found so much community and so much connection and all of these things. And then she got off the phone and never told us who she was.

[Dory Shafrir]

Yes, this is true. So she texted back and she said, my name is Samantha Brin, B R I N N. I'm the one who called in about writing romance in midlife. Thank you so much for playing the voicemail. It was so cool. She said, it's a four book series and the first two are out now with the third coming out in January. So they are called because of you, when I'm with you. And anything for you. I'm sensing a theme.

[Elise Hu]

Yes. Well, we are grateful for you, Samantha Brynn, for calling in and add that.

[Dory Shafrir]

They are samanthabrynauthor on Instagram. So we will link to that in the show notes. But thank you, Samantha. I love the midlife pivot. I love the books. It's. It's just. It's all great.

[Elise Hu]

Yeah, I'm glad. I'm glad her identity was unmasked.

[Listener]

She unmasked herself.

[Dory Shafrir]

She unmasked herself. Yes. Okay, we have another voicemail on a different topic, but actually sort of the same topic, if I recall correctly. Okay, here we go.

[Listener]

Hey, Forever 35 Crew. This is a pause the pod moment from the do the Thing mini app that I'm listening to while driving home.

[Dory Shafrir]

While driving.

[Listener]

Picking my kid and then driving home. I helped start a dance company this year with some awesome individuals in my community, and we are putting on a production of the Nutcracker, a local adaptation of the ballet classic the Nutcracker. And it's been like a second full time job in so many ways. But I'm so happy I'm doing it because I'm meeting people. I'm using a part of my brain that I don't use in my day tab and I have something that isn't linked to, you know, my income or my, like, professional status. It's just this kind of labor of love. And I just encourage anyone who's thinking about starting something to just go for it because you really, truly never know what's going to happen. And, you know, even if it lasts three days or a week, that's fine. You know, you went for it or maybe four months and you find yourself putting up flyers all over town so.

[Dory Shafrir]

You can sell tickets to a production.

[Elise Hu]

So fun.

[Listener]

But yeah, also, if anyone is in the desert this December, come to the desert Nutcracker. We'll be here.

[Dory Shafrir]

Love this pod.

[Listener]

Love y'all. Thanks.

[Dory Shafrir]

I. I put together this episode before Thanksgiving and so I didn't exactly remember everything, but then I was like, oh, yeah, I think this one is also in my head, I was like, I think this one is also about, like, doing new things in midlife. So I loved this so much.

[Elise Hu]

Yeah, that. That makes me feel great. Because you're also, you're not only finding something that makes you happy, but you've brought a lot of people together. So it means that there's so many of your neighbors and your friends that are also getting involved, other dancers and people who are dance aficionad and arts patrons and all of that. So if y'all are in the desert, go see the desert nutcracker I just thought, this is.

[Dory Shafrir]

This is so great. And, yeah, maybe we'll all get involved in community theater.

[Elise Hu]

That or just like putting on productions of any kind, you know, Like, I could imagine. I could imagine that being so much fun.

[Dory Shafrir]

Totally.

[Elise Hu]

But thank you for calling in. That was great.

[Dory Shafrir]

Yes.

[Elise Hu]

Makes me feel my heart feel happy. All right. Lauren in Savannah, Georgia writes. Hi, Dorian.

[Listener]

Elise had to pause the pod.

[Elise Hu]

Regarding. Is it dias? Diastasis recti.

[Dory Shafrir]

I think it's diastasis, but I could be wrong about that.

[Elise Hu]

Well, what she's writing about is split abs, which we've talked about before. A pelvic floor physical therapist is the doc to see. I've had doctor. Oh, she shortened it. Thank God. Now we don't have to pronounce it. I have d. I've had Dr. After each of my two pregnancies with a three finger gap and pelvic floor therapy.

[Listener]

Completely resolved it both times.

[Elise Hu]

It's very common and a lot of moms just suffer through it. But some simple exercises can really make it go away. So you could avoid surgery. It sounds like. Yeah.

[Dory Shafrir]

Yes. It sounds like there's, like, a real range of severity and that some people can deal with it with exercises and some do need to have surgery. But I think the. The, like, takeaway that I'm getting from all of this is consult a professional.

[Elise Hu]

Yeah. Yeah. So back to the disclaimer at the top of the show.

[Dory Shafrir]

Yeah.

[Elise Hu]

We are not medical experts.

[Dory Shafrir]

Not medical experts over here. Yes, very true. Okay, another text. Omg. Hello from the listener going to Paris this December. Thank you so much for reading my text on the most recent mini episode. I'm so sorry to hear that Elise couldn't take her Paris trip. Hopefully next summer. In the meantime, could I put in a request for Glynis McNichols Paris recommendations to be posted in the show notes or on Instagram. I read her book after hearing her on your episode and would love to hear all of her recommendations. Merci mille foy for the podcast and for actually responding. Sincerely, an OG listener from New York.

[Elise Hu]

Yeah, well, I have the list, so I'll. I sent it over to Sammy, and Sammy can share that in the show notes for y'all.

[Dory Shafrir]

Perfect. All right, we are gonna take another short break.

[Elise Hu]

We'll be right back.

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[Dory Shafrir]

Okay, we have returned.

[Elise Hu]

Hello.

[Dory Shafrir]

And do you remember recently, a listener wrote in to say to de influence us on the Trader Joe's hair serum?

[Elise Hu]

Yes. It was because I had confusion over which hair oil she liked. So it was right. She really likes the hair oil. And I'm like, well, is hair oil also hair serum? Because they. They.

[Listener]

They sell both.

[Elise Hu]

They have both hair oil and hair serum.

[Dory Shafrir]

Yes, yes.

[Elise Hu]

And she was like, no, not the serum.

[Dory Shafrir]

Get the oil. So, you know, this is a real, like, to each their own kind of situation. Because another listener wrote in to say counterpoint to listener D influence. I love the Trader Joe's hair serum. And I also just decided I hate my highlights and I'm going back to brown hair. I assume that that is a reference to me going back to. Yeah, going back to brown hair. So funny thing about my, like, my going back to brown hair is when I got it done, my hairstylist was like, it will sort. It will, like, sort of fade a little bit. Like, it won't be this dark. Just, like, give it. And I was sort of like, okay. But those first, like, the first week or so, I was like, oh, my hair is really dark. Like, it took a while to get used to, and now I'm like, okay. It has both sort of moderated, and I think I'm getting used to seeing myself with dark hair.

[Elise Hu]

Yeah.

[Dory Shafrir]

So that has just been sort of funny. But I am. I am liking being a brunette again.

[Elise Hu]

I think it looks great.

[Dory Shafrir]

Thank you.

[Elise Hu]

And then it does fade a lot of these. You know, when it. When you're. You color your hair and it's, like, more severe, it's always much better a few weeks later.

[Dory Shafrir]

Yes. I also had a thing where I was like, it looks like my roots are weirdly, like, lighter and redder than the rest of my hair. Like, what is going on? And now it's all sort of, like, melding together. Yeah, exactly. So I was like, oh, she does know what she's doing.

[Elise Hu]

Yeah, yeah.

[Dory Shafrir]

She being my. My hairstylist, so. So thank you, hairstylist. We got a voicemail about Trader Joe's hair serum. This is. This is a hot topic.

[Listener]

Who knew?

[Elise Hu]

I didn't know we stepped on a landmine here.

[Dory Shafrir]

Okay, I didn't know that either. So let me play this right now.

[Listener]

Hi, Elise and Dory, this is Carrie, and I'm having a posit pod moment in the veterinarian's parking lot while listening to the latest mini episode in which a listener de influenced on Trader Joe's hair serum, My beloved Trader Joe's hair serum. So I'm calling to re influence on this product. I don't know what the other listeners said about the product specifically that they didn't like. It's a daily use product for me. I do two pumps, run it through wet hair from, like the middle of my shaft of hair to the ends, and it's light and lovely and it smells good and I really like it. Yeah, I guess your mileage may vary. I have not tried the Trader Joe's hair oil, but I will say that I do love the serum. So I don't know. Just trying to re. Influence. All right, thanks.

[Dory Shafrir]

There you go.

[Elise Hu]

You know what? I'm just gonna buy both and apply. I'm gonna do like a science experiment and apply the oil on one side of my head for a while and the serum on the other side of my head for a while, like, middle part, and then see which I like better.

[Dory Shafrir]

Yes, please do that. You need to do that for science. It is a necessity. We all need to know. I also just want to put in a plug for the Trader Joe's Advent calendars.

[Elise Hu]

Oh, what's out there right now?

[Dory Shafrir]

They're. They're out there right now. Matt had gotten Henry a really sweet baseball card advent calendar. And then Henry, in like a classic five year old move, was like, I'm sick of baseball cards. I want a chocolate advent calendar. So we were like, to Trader Joe's, we go, and they have chocolate Advent calendars for $2.

[Elise Hu]

Oh, okay. I'll get them for all my kids and my step kids. So there's five between Rob and me. Everybody gets one.

[Dory Shafrir]

Everyone gets one. I was like, oh, okay. That's like. That's an actual bargain. Of course, it's not like the fanciest advent calendar, but it's also $2.

[Elise Hu]

So it's the thought that counts.

[Dory Shafrir]

It's the thought that counts. And you know what? Matt came home with the Trader Joe's beauty advent calendar for me.

[Elise Hu]

Hmm.

[Dory Shafrir]

It's 12 Days of Beauty. So I was like, don't I have to wait till 12 days before Christmas. Isn't that the whole idea? He's like, you can open it now. I was like, no, I'm waiting.

[Listener]

Okay.

[Elise Hu]

Yeah. You're a purist.

[Dory Shafrir]

I have to be. I have to be a purist. We put up our Christmas decorations on Saturday.

[Elise Hu]

Oh, yeah, I need to do that. I took them down.

[Dory Shafrir]

Yeah.

[Elise Hu]

I got them out of the attic very late.

[Dory Shafrir]

Oh, you mean took them down. Yeah. Out of storage.

[Elise Hu]

No, no, no. I got them. I took them out of the attic, and they are sitting there, but has been hung, and we haven't gotten a tree. And it's just. It's already December 2nd. Why does this happen every year? It's like time collapses and we're in a warp zone.

[Dory Shafrir]

But also, Thanksgiving was, like, the latest it could possibly be this year. So it, like, usually I feel like we have another week before December hits.

[Elise Hu]

Yeah.

[Dory Shafrir]

And this year, we don't. So here we are. I don't know. I. Like, I'm a fan of. Of Christmas lights. Henry had Halloween lights in his bedroom, and he swapped them out for Christmas lights.

[Elise Hu]

Right.

[Dory Shafrir]

Tis the season.

[Elise Hu]

Tis. Tis the season.

[Dory Shafrir]

Tis the season. Okay. Well, listeners, thanks for coming on this journey with us, and we will talk to you soon. For our Patreon supporters, we have our casual chat coming Friday and our pop culture episode. So stay tuned for those.

[Elise Hu]

Okay, until next time.

[Dory Shafrir]

Bye.