Forever35: Mini-Ep 453 – "Party On"

Release Date: July 23, 2025
Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu

In this heartwarming and candid mini-episode of Forever35, titled "Party On," co-hosts Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu dive into personal stories, engage with listener feedback, and tackle both light-hearted and serious topics with their signature blend of humor and sincerity. This episode offers a relatable exploration of parenting, self-care, and navigating life's unexpected moments.

1. Personal Updates and Celebrations (03:13)

The episode kicks off with Doree and Elise sharing recent happenings in their lives. Doree discusses a postponed big playdate, revealing the challenges of coordinating large gatherings. Meanwhile, Elise enthusiastically recounts her son Henry's first boogie boarding experience at a beach birthday party, highlighting the joys and little mishaps of parenting.

Doree Shafrir [03:53]: "He boogie boarded for the first time... he didn't want to even stop and eat some pizza. He was just like, I gotta keep going."

Elise reminisces about hosting a college-themed party, complete with homemade jungle juice and jello shots, playfully navigating the nostalgia of college traditions while ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for all attendees.

Elise Hu [06:28]: "It was a really good theme. Good times had by all."

Doree shares a relatable moment of feeling under the weather during the party, momentarily worrying about having Covid, only to realize it was a simple stuffy nose from skincare products.

Doree Shafrir [10:09]: "I was putting my skin care on... all of my products are unscented."

2. Celebrating Micro Joys with Listeners (12:22)

Emphasizing the importance of finding small moments of happiness, Doree and Elise introduce listener voicemails sharing their "micro joys" — simple pleasures that brighten their days amidst hectic schedules.

• Listener 1 from Santa Cruz shares her morning ritual of playing spa music to create a calming home environment, a tactic that helps her manage the chaos of motherhood and a full-time job.

  Listener 1 [12:30]: "It's like a nice way to make your brain and body relax a little bit."

• Listener 2 expresses delight over podcasts skipping ad breaks and enjoys revisiting older episodes, finding comfort in nostalgia before the pandemic's upheaval.

Responding thoughtfully, Doree promotes their Patreon for listeners seeking an ad-free experience while highlighting the additional content available, such as past episodes and exclusive chats.

Doree Shafrir [15:03]: "If you do not like ads, there's a very simple solution on this podcast which is to join our Patreon."

Elise adds that Patreon not only removes ads but also offers a more unfiltered and intimate connection through their "casual chats," enriching the listener experience.

3. Navigating Conversations About Death with Children (20:06)

A profound listener question about discussing death with a young child prompts an earnest dialogue between the hosts. Doree shares her personal approach to explaining her sister-in-law's passing to her three-year-old son, Henry, emphasizing honesty tempered with age-appropriate language.

Doree Shafrir [21:52]: "Sometimes sickness is like on the insides of our bodies and you don't always see it on the outside."

Elise complements this by recommending resources like the board book series from A Kid's Company, which provides thoughtful tools for parents to address such sensitive topics with their children.

Elise Hu [22:52]: "There's actually a board book for about 5-year-olds called A Kid's Book about Death. I would recommend you..."

This segment underscores the hosts' commitment to providing supportive and practical advice for parents navigating challenging conversations.

4. Listener Insights and Practical Tips (24:13)

The hosts dive into a variety of listener messages, addressing diverse topics with practicality and empathy.

• Arizona Resort Culture & Diet Pill Marketing: A listener links their desire to attend a national tennis tournament in Arizona with concerns about escalating diet culture and the rebranding of diet pills as perimenopause supplements. Elise warns against such misleading marketing tactics, urging listeners to remain vigilant.

  Elise Hu [25:05]: "It's just rebranding a lot of these pro-harassing behaviors many of us have had to live through."

• Managing Teenagers' Charger Habits: Krista offers a clever solution to prevent her teenager from misplacing chargers by implementing consequences if chargers are taken from designated spots. Doree and Elise appreciate the strategy, with Elise humorously acknowledging the empowerment that comes with enforcing such boundaries.

  Elise Hu [27:15]: "I relish the opportunity to take away her phone."

• Recommendations for Korean Spas in LA: Responding to listener requests, Doree and Elise share favorite Korean spa spots like WI Spa and Spa LA, detailing their offerings and personal experiences to help listeners make informed choices for relaxation and rejuvenation.

  Doree Shafrir [31:16]: "There is a rooftop deck where people just kind of hang out. It's great."

Additionally, they touch upon unique finds from Costco, such as exclusive dog toys and innovative food products from Trader Joe's, blending personal anecdotes with practical shopping tips.

5. Final Thoughts and Upcoming Content (35:03)

As the episode winds down, Doree introduces a new Korean japchae fried rice product from Trader Joe's, praising its versatility and taste, while Elise mentions having more free time due to her kids attending sleepaway camp, teasing future episodes that will delve into topics like her children's camp experiences.

Doree Shafrir [34:36]: "It's really good. So that is my Trader Joe's wreck for the week."

The hosts wrap up the episode with warm farewells, reinforcing their connection with the listener community and setting the stage for future engaging conversations.

Key Highlights:

• Authentic Storytelling: Doree and Elise share personal parenting moments and social gatherings, creating a relatable and intimate atmosphere.

• Listener Engagement: By incorporating listener voicemails and messages, the hosts foster a sense of community and shared experiences.

• Balanced Content: The episode seamlessly weaves between light-hearted topics and serious discussions, offering a well-rounded listening experience.

• Practical Advice: Whether it's managing screen time, discussing death with young children, or organizing household items, the hosts provide actionable insights grounded in personal experience.

• Resource Recommendations: From board books on death to Korean spa suggestions, Doree and Elise offer valuable resources tailored to their listeners' needs.

Notable Quotes:

• Doree Shafrir [03:53]: "He boogie boarded for the first time... he didn't want to even stop and eat some pizza. He was just like, I gotta keep going."

• Elise Hu [06:28]: "It was a really good theme. Good times had by all."

• Doree Shafrir [10:09]: "I was putting my skin care on... all of my products are unscented."

• Doree Shafrir [15:03]: "If you do not like ads, there's a very simple solution on this podcast which is to join our Patreon."

• Doree Shafrir [21:52]: "Sometimes sickness is like on the insides of our bodies and you don't always see it on the outside."

• Elise Hu [22:52]: "There's actually a board book for about 5-year-olds called A Kid's Book about Death. I would recommend you..."

• Elise Hu [25:05]: "It's just rebranding a lot of these pro-harassing behaviors many of us have had to live through."

• Elise Hu [27:15]: "I relish the opportunity to take away her phone."

• Doree Shafrir [31:16]: "There is a rooftop deck where people just kind of hang out. It's great."

• Doree Shafrir [34:36]: "It's really good. So that is my Trader Joe's wreck for the week."

Conclusion:

Mini-Episode 453 of Forever35 offers a delightful mix of personal anecdotes, listener interactions, and thoughtful discussions. Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu excel at creating an engaging narrative that resonates with listeners navigating the complexities of modern life, parenting, and self-care. Whether sharing joyful parenting milestones or providing guidance on sensitive topics, the hosts maintain an authentic and supportive presence, making this episode a meaningful addition to the Forever35 series.