Mini-Ep 446: Creatures and Teachers - Forever35

Summary

Forever35: Mini-Episode 446 - Creatures and Teachers

Release Date: June 4, 2025
Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu

In this heartfelt and engaging mini-episode of Forever35, hosts Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu delve into personal anecdotes, listener messages, and practical tips on self-care, pet management, and appreciation for educators. Titled "Creatures and Teachers," the episode masterfully balances humor with meaningful discussions, offering listeners both entertainment and valuable insights.

Personal Tales: A Night of Trivia and Unexpected Visitors

The episode kicks off with Elise sharing a rather chaotic evening that highlights the unpredictability of life. After participating in a competitive Wednesday night bar trivia, Elise and her team secured a respectable third place, earning a modest $10 discount on their bill. However, the night took an unexpected turn when Elise was rudely awakened in the early hours by incessant chirping and her cat, Abe:

Elise Hu [07:10]: "It was traumatized. It was kind of like frozen and on its side, but it was alive."

Elise recounts how Abe thoughtfully—or mischievously—brought an injured sparrow into her bed, leading to a surreal and distressing encounter. The incident underscores the bond between pet and owner, as well as the sometimes bewildering actions of our furry friends.

Listener Spotlight: Appreciating Our Educators

Transitioning from personal stories to community engagement, Doree and Elise highlight a poignant voicemail from Nora, a teacher from Rhode Island, who sheds light on the challenges educators face as the school year winds down. Nora emphasizes the burnout and stress teachers endure, urging listeners to extend genuine gratitude beyond fleeting gestures.

Nora [10:22]: "A handwritten note honestly means so much more."

Both hosts resonate deeply with this message, advocating for year-round appreciation of teachers. They discuss the significance of heartfelt, personalized notes over generic gifts, acknowledging the systemic undervaluation of educators in society.

Hair Care Insights: Embracing Curly Textures

In a dedicated segment, Doree and Elise address listener questions about managing wavy to curly hair textures. They provide a repertoire of product recommendations tailored to different needs:

Curlsmith’s Hydro Style Flexi Jelly: Ideal for enhancing natural curls without weighing them down.
Ouidad’s Product Lineup: Offers a range of solutions for frizz control and curl definition.

Doree Shafrier [20:11]: "You have basically their ear for like that half hour or whatever to just ask questions about what's best for my hair."

The hosts stress the importance of consulting with specialized hairstylists who understand curly hair dynamics and recommend experimenting with various products to find the perfect balance for individual hair types.

Managing Mischievous Pups: Listener Tips and Host Experiences

Elise opens up about her struggles with Oscar, an energetic 80-pound puppy with a penchant for swallowing objects and causing mayhem. Listeners contribute a wealth of advice, emphasizing the necessity of ample exercise and mental stimulation to curb destructive behaviors:

Providing Puzzle Toys: Items like Kongs and Pupsicles can keep puppies engaged and occupied.
Implementing Shredding Activities: Allowing dogs to tear into cardboard boxes can satisfy their natural instincts in a non-destructive manner.

Doree Shafrir [30:13]: "Puppies need mental stimulation and engagement and much more exercise."

Elise shares her ongoing efforts to balance Oscar's energy levels with consistent training and physical activity, illustrating the challenges and rewards of puppy ownership.

Conclusion: Building a Supportive Community

Throughout Mini-Episode 446, Doree and Elise exemplify the essence of Forever35 by fostering a supportive and interactive community. By sharing personal stories, amplifying listener voices, and offering practical advice, they create a space where listeners feel connected and empowered to navigate their own self-care journeys.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Elise Hu [07:10]: "It was traumatized. It was kind of like frozen and on its side, but it was alive."
Nora [10:22]: "A handwritten note honestly means so much more."
Doree Shafrier [20:11]: "You have basically their ear for like that half hour or whatever to just ask questions about what's best for my hair."
Doree Shafrier [30:13]: "Puppies need mental stimulation and engagement and much more exercise."

Forever35 continues to be a beacon of self-care wisdom, blending humor with heartfelt conversations. Whether you're grappling with pet challenges, seeking beauty advice, or wanting to show appreciation to those who shape our lives, this mini-episode offers something valuable for everyone.

Transcript

Dory Shafrier (0:00)

Hey, listeners and fellow beauty lovers. It's Dory Shafrier and Elise Hu from Forever 35. And on our show we spend a lot of time talking about beauty news, products and treatments. But we also know that one of the real secrets to beauty is feeling as good on the inside as you do on the outside.

Elise Hu (0:17)

Absolutely.

Dory Shafrier (0:17)

And that's why we're excited to tell you about a new podcast from Jonathan Van Ness. You probably know them best as the beauty and grooming expert from Queer Eye. But on their podcast, Getting Better, they're exploring ways we can all become more confident, happy, productive and invigorated. In other words, just a little bit better. Jonathan has been publishing their podcast Getting Curious for years, but this past March, their podcast relaunched as Getting Better. Now the show is focusing more on personal growth and wellness. And they're speaking to guests like Dan Harris, Gretchen Rubin, and Dr. Wendy Suzuki. So, you know, just a few of the greats. Getting Better is available now. Wherever you get your podcasts, give it a listen. You know, before I lived in la, I traveled to la and those trips back and forth showed me that they don't call it the City of Angels for nothing. The sky is blue, the weather is gorgeous, and the food is amazing. Los Angeles chefs and mixologists draw inspiration from their varied cultural backgrounds and the city's diverse neighborhoods, making for a really exciting food scene. From game changing taco trucks to Michelin stars. If you're not a foodie, LA also has diverse cultures and communities that collaborate and mingle, elevating new voices in art, music, film and comedy. Did you know that Los Angeles has more museums and theaters than New York? From trailblazing street art to world class museums, art is everywhere in la. Plus, LA knows how to put on a show. The worlds of sports and entertainment collide to create the kinds of events that could only happen here. Wherever you are in the city, you're never far from the next only in LA moment. Find more ways to love LA@discoverla.com hello and welcome to Forever 35, a podcast about the things we do to take care of ourselves. I'm Dory Shafrier.

Elise Hu (2:15)

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

Dory Shafrier (2:20)

And this is a mini episode where we hear from you. We share your comments and your thoughts. We answer your questions to the best of our ability. But please remember we are podcast hosts, we are not experts. And we do always encourage you to seek support first and foremost from a medical and or mental health professional. As needed. And I just want to note before we get started, you all have been, like, writing and calling in. Thank you so much for all of your messages. And there are some messages that we won't get to today that we will get to in future episodes. So don't worry. We will get to them. But, yeah, really appreciated all of the. All the messages.