Forever35 Podcast Summary: Mini-Ep 448 – Seeking Summertime Sunscreen Suggestions
Release Date: June 18, 2025
Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu
Introduction
In this mini-episode of Forever35, co-hosts Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu engage with their audience by addressing listener comments, questions, and sharing personal insights. The episode, titled "Seeking Summertime Sunscreen Suggestions," delves into topics ranging from sunscreen recommendations for the eye area to strategies for deepening friendships after relocating. Throughout the conversation, the hosts maintain their signature humor and self-awareness, providing a relatable and engaging listening experience.
Hosts' Personal Updates
The episode opens with Doree and Elise sharing updates about their summer experiences. Elise mentions the challenges of transitioning to hosting more children during the day in her household on the West Coast, contrasting it with the slower-paced summer ending in New England.
Elise Hu [02:59]:
"It's going. It is going. We are full on in summer here in my household and on the West Coast."
Doree adds her perspective on the elongated weeks of August on the East Coast, highlighting the difficulty of balancing family time with the return to school schedules.
Managing Cords and Household Logistics
A significant portion of their conversation centers around the universal struggle of managing cords and electronic devices in a household with children. Elise shares her frustrations with constantly misplaced USB-C cables, leading to operational hiccups with her podcasting equipment.
Elise Hu [04:10]:
"My computer that I podcast with didn't have any power due to cords just going. And it's sort of my fault because I'm constantly like, we should share property."
Doree empathizes, noting the common issue of having an abundance of cords but never the right one when needed.
Financial Struggles and Business Insights
The hosts candidly discuss their financial situations, with Doree expressing uncertainty about securing a full-time job and the precariousness it brings.
Doree Shafrir [06:30]:
"The long and short of it is one of us needs a full time job and until that happens, it's going to be pretty precarious."
Elise relates by discussing the impacts of economic uncertainty on her woman-owned production company, which specializes in creating B2B podcasts for tech giants like Microsoft and GitHub. She highlights the challenges faced as companies adjust their marketing budgets in response to economic headwinds.
Listener Feedback and Important Reminders
Doree addresses critical feedback from listeners regarding a previous episode where financial advice was discussed. A legal aid lawyer listener expressed concern over the hosts' suggestions about deprioritizing bills, emphasizing the severe consequences such as damaged credit and potential legal actions.
Listener Feedback [09:12]:
"Please do not deprioritize bills without having a thoughtful conversation about the actual consequences of that deprioritization."
The hosts acknowledge the validity of these concerns, reinforcing the importance of seeking professional financial and legal advice before making significant financial decisions.
Additionally, another listener voiced environmental concerns about letting cats roam outdoors, highlighting the impact on bird populations and ecosystems. Elise responds empathetically, sharing her own experience with training her cat, Abe, to walk on a leash to mitigate such issues.
National Parks and Outdoor Activities
The conversation shifts to outdoor activities, prompted by a listener's voicemail about the Every Kid Outdoors program, which provides a free one-year national parks pass to every fourth grader in the United States.
Raelynn [16:30]:
"I just want to make sure you and maybe the rest of the listeners know about the Every Kid Outdoors program here in the states."
Elise enthusiastically endorses the program, sharing her positive experiences and encouraging listeners to take advantage of free entry passes for their families.
Elise Hu [17:14]:
"It's so great. I love this program. We took advantage of it when Ava was in fourth grade."
Doree further informs listeners about the America the Beautiful pass for individuals with disabilities, which offers free entry to national parks permanently.
Sunscreen Recommendations for the Eye Area
A highlighted segment revolves around a listener's query regarding sunscreens suitable for the delicate eye area. The listener seeks recommendations beyond the high-priced Dermatology Luminous Eye Corrector SPF41 and expresses dissatisfaction with Supergoop's Bright Eyed 100 Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40.
Listener Email [18:26]:
"Would love to know if listeners have a facial sunscreen they use in their eye area with no ill effects."
Doree Shafrir [20:07]:
"When I use mineral sunscreen I can use it in the eye area. It's only the chemical sunscreens that will irritate my eyes."
Both hosts recommend mineral sunscreens as gentler alternatives. Doree mentions using Coppertone Mineral Sunscreen Roll-On for her child, while Elise shares her practice of applying Baby Bum Roll-On to her own face during rushed mornings.
Favorite Alternative Milk, Coffee Orders, and Dinner Ideas
Responding to a multifaceted listener voicemail, Doree and Elise discuss their preferences for alternative milks, favorite coffee orders, and recent dinner staples.
Listener Voicemail [18:32]:
"Do you have a favorite alternative milk that you use or is that not your thing? And do you have a favorite coffee order ... or ... favorite thing that you're making right now?"
Doree Shafrir [23:16]:
"I'm not an alternative milk person. I drink regular whole milk... I usually just get an iced latte."
Elise Hu [23:35]:
"My favorite one is cashew. Cashew milk is actually the creamiest... I find it's too saucy if you use the full sauce."
Elise elaborates on her preference for cashew milk due to its creaminess, despite environmental concerns, and her inclination towards iced oat milk lattes with honey and lavender. Doree shares her recent use of leftover ingredients to create simple lunch bowls, emphasizing practicality over creativity in meal preparations.
Deepening Friendships After Relocating
Addressing a listener's challenge in transforming surface-level friendships into deeper connections after moving north of Boston, Doree and Elise offer actionable advice.
Listener Question [34:17]:
"How to take these friendships from surface level to deeper."
Elise emphasizes the importance of shared experiences in solidifying friendships, suggesting activities like cooking classes, pottery, or exercising together.
Elise Hu [35:02]:
"Friendships are really deepened and solidified over experiences... try and come up with an activity. If you exercise, like go play tennis together or go for a run."
Doree adds a practical tip about meeting friends halfway geographically to ease the challenge posed by regional differences and commuting difficulties.
Windshield Wipers: A Relatable Micro Joy
A humorous and relatable story unfolds as a listener shares their newfound appreciation for replacing windshield wipers, a task previously neglected.
Listener Story [36:49]:
"Replacing windshield wipers... It really wasn't that difficult to install. Now every time it rains, I can like actually see out of my windshield."
Both hosts resonate with the sentiment, sharing their own experiences and reaffirming the simple joys that enhance daily life.
Call-Out: Share Your Micro Joys
In their concluding segment, Doree and Elise invite listeners to share their "micro joys" – small, joyful moments or hacks that improve day-to-day living.
Elise Hu [38:12]:
"We haven't done this in a few months. Which is. What are your micro joys out there?"
They promise to feature selected micro joys in the next episode, encouraging continued community engagement and positivity.
Conclusion
Throughout Mini-Ep 448, Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu adeptly navigate a blend of personal anecdotes, listener interactions, and practical advice, all while maintaining an engaging and supportive tone. From managing household logistics and financial uncertainties to enhancing skincare routines and deepening friendships, the hosts provide valuable insights tailored to their audience's needs. Their authentic dialogue and responsiveness to listener feedback underscore the podcast's commitment to fostering a community centered around self-care and personal growth.
Note: Advertisements and promotional segments have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the podcast's content.