Forever35 Podcast: Mini-Ep 429 - Hugs and Solidarity
Release Date: February 5, 2025
Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu

Introduction and Personal Updates

The episode kicks off with co-hosts Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu sharing personal anecdotes from their recent activities. Doree discusses her weekly desert trips, highlighting a memorable experience where her team's private chef prepared a gourmet dinner under challenging conditions.

Doree Shafrir [02:13]: "It felt a little bit like I was on Chopped because she only had three hours to make a meal for 10 people, and she wasn’t even in her kitchen. It was very interesting and delicious."

Elise reciprocates by sharing her weekend experiences, including attending a Lunar New Year celebration and dealing with her girlfriend’s bout with the flu.

Elise Hu [05:20]: "My girlfriend got the flu, and her entire class went down with norovirus a few months ago. It’s been a hectic time, but overall, I had a pretty good weekend."

Using AI in Everyday Life

The hosts delve into practical applications of AI, particularly in the kitchen. Doree praises ChatGPT for its utility in generating creative recipes from limited ingredients.

Elise Hu [04:12]: "Whenever you have random ingredients in your fridge, you can tell ChatGPT and it can help you not waste them."

Doree adds her own strategy for using AI to tailor recipes to specific needs, such as making small batches of cookies without the hassle of scaling recipes manually.

Doree Shafrir [04:46]: "If you only want to make two chocolate chip cookies, ChatGPT can help you with that without doing the math yourself."

Current Political Events and Their Impact

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the rapidly changing political landscape, emphasizing the impact of recent governmental shifts on federal support programs.

Elise Hu [07:13]: "Over the weekend, we saw the reversal of the pause on all federal payments, but also the collapse and ending of federal payments to USAID, directed by Elon Musk’s administration."

Doree echoes these sentiments, expressing concern over the swift policy changes and their implications.

Doree Shafrir [08:22]: "It's really giving fascism vibes for sure. It's intended."

News Consumption Recommendations from Listeners

The hosts share and discuss news sources recommended by their listeners, aiming to balance staying informed without feeling overwhelmed.

Dory Shafrir [18:22]: "Roy Wood Jr's show, Have I Got News for You on CNN, and Stephen Colbert's monologues provide a good mix of comedy and news."

Elise highlights the value of sources that blend humor with information to make news consumption more enjoyable.

Elise Hu [19:24]: "Jessica Yellen's News Not Noise and Robert Reich's Politics Made Easy are fantastic for staying informed and grounded."

Listener Questions and Product Recommendations

The episode features responses to listener queries, particularly focusing on skincare routines and product recommendations.

Retinol Tips

A listener asks about incorporating retinol into their skincare routine. Doree provides advice on starting with low-dose tretinoin and gradually increasing usage while emphasizing the importance of sun protection.

Dory Shafrir [26:07]: "Start with the lowest dose, like 0.025%, and use it twice a week initially. Always be careful with sun exposure when using tretinoin."

Elise adds her perspective on over-the-counter retinol products, recommending L'Oreal’s Revitalift Night Serum for those seeking milder options.

Elise Hu [29:00]: "The L'Oreal Revitalift Night Serum with retinol is a great drugstore option that doesn’t trigger excessive skin sensitivity."

Product Recommendations

Listeners also share their favorite skincare products. One listener praises Elf’s Holy Hydration line for combating winter dryness, highlighting its affordability and effectiveness.

Listener [30:13]: "Elf's Holy Hydration products have made a huge difference in my skin’s hydration during the cold months, and they’re very affordable."

Friendship Month and Listener Engagement

As February marks Friendship Month, Doree and Elise encourage listeners to submit questions about friendship. They announce plans to invite a guest to discuss these queries in future episodes.

Dory Shafrir [25:02]: "We are collecting listener questions about friendship. Email us or call/text us to share your thoughts."

Ethical Consumption Discussion

Towards the episode’s conclusion, the hosts engage in a heartfelt discussion about ethical consumption, sparked by a listener’s email concerning a Fast Company exposé on Trader Joe’s business practices.

Elise Hu [33:16]: "Trader Joe's has had multiple recalls and unresolved sexual harassment complaints. While some listeners decide to boycott, others choose to continue shopping there for practical reasons."

Doree reflects on the dilemma of ethical consumerism in a flawed system, acknowledging the difficulty in completely avoiding companies with problematic practices.

Dory Shafrir [35:19]: "I probably won’t stop shopping there. Trader Joe’s isn’t one of the top priorities for my focus right now, even though it’s important."

Elise emphasizes the importance of being informed and making empowered choices based on personal values.

Elise Hu [35:35]: "We need to be more individually accountable because our institutions and safeguards are being dismantled. It's about making informed decisions that align with what you care about."

Conclusion

Doree and Elise wrap up the episode by thanking their listeners for their engagement and encouraging continued interaction through various channels. They acknowledge the balance between staying informed and managing overwhelm, reinforcing their commitment to navigating self-care and solidarity amidst challenging times.

Notable Quotes:

• Doree Shafrir [02:13]: "It felt a little bit like I was on Chopped because she only had three hours to make a meal for 10 people."

• Elise Hu [07:13]: "Over the weekend, we saw the reversal of the pause on all federal payments, but also the collapse and ending of federal payments to USAID."

• Elise Hu [33:16]: "Trader Joe's has had multiple recalls and unresolved sexual harassment complaints."

• Dory Shafrir [35:19]: "I probably won’t stop shopping there. Trader Joe’s isn’t one of the top priorities for my focus right now."

This mini-episode of Forever35 offers a blend of personal stories, practical advice, listener interactions, and thoughtful discussions on current events and ethical living. Through humor and genuine conversation, Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu provide valuable insights into self-care and solidarity in an ever-changing world.