Forever35 Podcast – Mini-Episode 428: News You Can Use

Release Date: January 29, 2025
Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu

In this engaging mini-episode of Forever35, co-hosts Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu delve into a variety of topics ranging from personal updates to listener questions, all while maintaining their signature humor and self-awareness. Here's a detailed summary of the episode's key discussions and insights.

1. Welcome and Episode Overview

The episode begins with Doree and Elise introducing the format of this mini-episode, emphasizing that it focuses on listener interactions, comments, and questions. They remind listeners that while they aim to provide helpful insights, they are not experts and encourage seeking professional advice when necessary.

Notable Quote:

Doree Shafrir [02:56]: "But please remember, we are not experts. We are podcast hosts."

2. Personal Updates

The hosts share personal updates, offering a glimpse into their ongoing projects and experiences.

• Elise's Documentary Efforts: Elise discusses her ongoing efforts to develop a documentary focused on young individuals rebuilding after devastating fires. She expresses excitement about capturing their resilience over the next year.

  Notable Quote:

  Elise Hu [04:29]: "Working on that over the weekend... follow some of these kids or, like, tweens and teens over the period of like, nine months or a year to see what happens after the fires."

• Doree's Tennis Tournament: Doree recounts her recent participation in a tennis tournament, highlighting both her victories and close losses. She describes the serene desert setting and the satisfaction of completing a year-long commitment to tennis.

  Notable Quote:

  Doree Shafrir [08:01]: "It was really nice. It was really a lovely setting, like, in the desert... it was just beautiful."

• Football Fandom Decline: Both hosts discuss their dwindling interest in football, attributing it to personal changes and evolving perspectives on the sport's culture.

  Notable Quote:

  Elise Hu [07:58]: "The farther I got away, like, the farther I got from Texas, the less I was really able to pay attention and follow."

3. Balancing News Consumption

A listener posed a question about managing the influx of news, especially with a new administration and looming elections. Doree and Elise explore strategies to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained.

Recommendations:

• Selective News Sources: They suggest turning to reputable local news outlets like NPR affiliates KCRW and KPCC, as well as digital platforms like LAist and the LA Times for balanced reporting.

  Notable Quote:

  Elise Hu [11:04]: "I really think we should shout out local news because we are watching local news outlets all over the country disappear."

• Structured News Consumption: Implementing specific times for news intake can help limit exposure and maintain mental well-being.

  Notable Quote:

  Doree Shafrir [13:23]: "Have specific times of the day that you like check in with the news and set a certain amount of time."

• Newsletter Subscriptions: Subscribing to focused newsletters on platforms like Substack provides curated, in-depth insights without the chaos of constant updates.

  Notable Quote:

  Elise Hu [14:17]: "Newsletters are a good way to go. I have been reading one on climate from Bill McKibben and Rebecca Traister on feminist issues."

• Preserving Mental Peace: Citing comedian Roy Wood Jr., they emphasize the importance of conserving personal peace to sustain energy for long-term challenges.

  Notable Quote:

  Elise Hu [16:02]: "Conserve and preserve your peace... you'll need that energy for the longer fight ahead."

4. Listener Questions

The hosts address various listener inquiries, offering personalized advice and product recommendations.

a. Mascara Recommendations

A listener seeks advice on switching from Ilia mascara due to a formula change. Doree and Elise provide their top picks:

• Elise’s Pick: L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara in Blackest Black – praised for its ability to separate lashes without the stickiness of waterproof formulas.

  Notable Quote:

  Elise Hu [26:13]: "L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in blackest Black... it really separates your lashes."

• Doree’s Pick: Thrive Cosmetics Mascara – highlighted for its excellent performance and longevity.

  Notable Quote:

  Doree Shafrir [27:00]: "I have just stuck with it because I think it's such a great mascara."

b. Free Mugging

The "Free Mugging" segment explores the playful habit of clumsily spilling drinks. Listeners share their experiences and coping mechanisms.

• Elise’s Perspective: Embraces the small victories of not spilling, finding a sense of accomplishment in seemingly minor successes.

  Notable Quote:

  Elise Hu [30:11]: "I always feel a little bit accomplished when I free mug."

• Doree’s Story: Shares a personal anecdote about a last-minute change disrupting her plans, leading to an inevitable spill.

  Notable Quote:

  Doree Shafrir [29:05]: "I did what I had to do. And I just have empathy for the reluctant free platers."

5. Listener Email: Digitizing Precious Memories

A listener from Northridge shares her experience during the 1994 earthquake and seeks recommendations for digitizing printed photos and sentimental letters.

Recommendations:

• LegacyBox: Doree recommends LegacyBox for its reliable digitization services, allowing users to convert physical media into cloud-stored digital formats.

  Notable Quote:

  Doree Shafrir [36:12]: "LegacyBox... send in your old home movies, your photos, and they digitize everything and it all goes into the cloud."

• Alternative Services: They mention that other companies, including Costco, offer similar digitization services, providing listeners with multiple options based on their needs.

  Notable Quote:

  Doree Shafrir [36:39]: "They have different levels... it's up to two items which could be 50 photos."

6. Product Recommendations ("Wrecks")

The hosts share their favorite finds from popular retail outlets, offering listeners practical suggestions for everyday needs.

• Costco Triumph: Celebrates Costco’s commitment to diversity, highlighting the company’s resistance against shareholder pressures to alter its DEIJ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice) practices.

  Notable Quote:

  Elise Hu [38:09]: "Congratulations to Costco and way to stand up for the values of your company."

• Trader Joe’s Delight: Doree raves about Trader Joe’s "Tiniest Chocolate Chip Cookies," perfect as ice cream toppings or crunchy snacks.

  Notable Quote:

  Doree Shafrir [39:17]: "They would be an excellent as an ice cream topping. I just ate handfuls of these by themselves."

• Sam’s Club Nugget Tip: A listener shares a tip on Sam’s Club’s Southern Style Chicken Bites, likened to Chick-fil-A Nuggets, receiving high praise.

  Notable Quote:

  Doree Shafrir [39:05]: "They taste just like Chick Fil a Nuggets. 10 out of 10 would recommend."

7. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with a heartfelt thank you to listeners and a reminder of various ways to connect with the hosts, including calls, texts, emails, and social media platforms.

Notable Quote:

Doree Shafrir [36:12]: "We've got links there to everything we mentioned on the show."

Conclusion

Forever35 continues to blend personal anecdotes with practical advice, fostering a sense of community among its listeners. This mini-episode effectively addresses contemporary challenges like news fatigue, offers beauty and lifestyle tips, and celebrates the importance of preserving memories, all while encouraging listeners to engage and share their experiences.

Note: Advertisements and promotional segments for Masterclass, Bausch & Lomb, and Quince were present in the transcript but have been omitted from this summary to focus solely on the episode's content.