Forever35 – Mini-Episode 455: Something Sus
Release Date: August 6, 2025
In "Mini-Episode 455: Something Sus," co-host Elise Hu collaborates with guest Sam Hunio to deliver an intimate and heartfelt episode while Doree Shafrir takes a well-deserved summer break. This installment delves into personal health updates, exciting summer adventures, and profound listener feedback from their highly acclaimed Friendship Month mini app. True to Forever35's essence, the episode combines humor, self-awareness, and genuine conversation to explore the nuances of self-care and friendships.
1. Special Episode Introduction
With Doree on hiatus, Elise welcomes producer Sam Hunio to the episode, setting the stage for a unique and personal conversation.
- [00:43] Doree Shafrir: "Much deserved. So we have something special for you. I got our producer Sami Hunio to join me."
2. Doree's Personal Health Journey
Doree opens up about a recent health scare, sharing her experience with a suspicious lump and upcoming biopsy, fostering a sense of vulnerability and community support.
- [03:59] Doree Shafrir: "They found a random lump, like, right behind my nip. And they ranked it as suspicious."
Sam empathetically shares his own experience, highlighting the importance of support among women facing similar health challenges.
- [05:05] Sam Hunio: "I felt a lump in my boob in, I think it was 2012 and everything was totally fine... they left a little titanium hook in there."
Doree emphasizes the strength and solidarity within the community of over 4 million American women survivors or those living with breast cancer.
- [06:12] Doree Shafrir: "It's kind of cool because then you can say that you have a titanium tit. Yeah, just kind of cool."
3. Summer Adventures and Self-Care
Sam recounts his exhilarating experience at WWE’s SummerSlam, providing listeners with an energetic glimpse into his personal interests.
- [07:06] Sam Hunio: "I went to SummerSlam, which is a big WWE event. It was two nights in a row. And oh my goodness, what a thrill."
Doree shares her passion for traditional wrestling styles, reminiscing about her time in Mexico City and the acrobatic prowess of luchadores.
- [08:14] Doree Shafrir: "We did that when we were in Mexico City and they put on just such a show."
The conversation seamlessly transitions into self-care, with both hosts recommending favorite beauty products and personal care routines.
- [11:28] Doree Shafrir: "I've switched to the Tower 28 Cream Blush, and I'm very happy with it."
4. Listener Feedback from Friendship Month
The heart of the episode revolves around heartfelt stories and feedback from listeners who participated in the Friendship Month mini app, praised as the most listened-to mini app of 2025.
a. Maintaining Balanced Friendships
A listener shares her experience with a friend who consistently initiates contact, alleviating the pressure of always being the one to reach out.
- [17:19] Listener 1: "I have a friend who always reaches out to me... she just reaches out during the week so you don't have to."
Doree and Elise discuss the importance of complementary friendship styles and mutual understanding.
- [20:15] Elise Hu: "This listener really highlights that both people need to be on board."
b. Navigating Friendships Amidst Life Changes
Another listener touches on supporting federal employees, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and reaching out to friends navigating stressful occupations.
- [21:27] Listener 1: "If you have a friend or a family member that is a federal employee... reach out to them."
Doree reflects on the significance of appreciating and thanking those in demanding roles.
- [22:50] Doree Shafrir: "It’s so vital... Thank you all."
c. Addressing Criticism from Previous Episodes
The hosts address critical feedback regarding a prior episode featuring Anna Goldfarb, where listeners felt the advice lacked empathy towards child-free friends.
- [31:00] Listener 2: "Anna just presuppose that she was a struggling mother who was barely keeping it together."
Doree and Elise acknowledge the oversights and emphasize their commitment to understanding diverse friendship dynamics.
- [35:55] Doree Shafrir: "We understand the blind spot. We see it. Those of you who wrote in and called in are not alone."
d. Therapist Listener's Insights
A listener who is a therapist offers valuable advice on selecting the right therapist, covering aspects like fit, demographics, specialties, and affordability.
- [36:44] Listener 3: "Do you like them? Do you feel like you can open up to them? Do they feel safe?"
Doree promotes their sponsor BetterHelp, encouraging listeners to seek therapy and providing a discount code.
- [39:54] Doree Shafrir: "If you are interested in shopping around at Better Help, you can visit betterhelp.com/forever35 and they are offering 10% off your first month."
5. Product Recommendations and Sponsor Messages
Throughout the episode, the hosts intersperse personal product recommendations and sponsor messages, seamlessly integrating self-care tips with commercial content.
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Quince: Doree recommends Quince for versatile and affordable wardrobe essentials.
- [14:30] Doree Shafrir: "I got these really great linen pants from Quince that I'm wearing all the time... check out quince.com/fore35 for free shipping."
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Shopify: Elise highlights Shopify’s benefits for small businesses.
- [15:44] Elise Hu: "Shopify makes the marketing minefield easy with built-in tools..."
6. Closing Thoughts and Community Building
The episode wraps up with affirmations of community support and encouragement to maintain and cherish friendships, regardless of life’s changes.
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[26:44] Elise Hu: "This also made me think of some of the takeaways that we posted in the newsletter last week."
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[27:25] Elise Hu: "I'm so glad this person reached out. So kind of keep that in mind."
Doree and Elise reiterate the importance of reaching out and staying connected, fostering a sense of belonging among listeners.
Notable Quotes
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[03:59] Doree Shafrir: "I have a lot of folks who have had breast cancer scares or breast cancer in their lives. It turns out it's a huge sisterhood."
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[07:06] Sam Hunio: "I went to SummerSlam, which is a big WWE event. It was two nights in a row. And oh my goodness, what a thrill."
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[31:00] Listener 2: "Anna just presuppose that she was a struggling mother who was barely keeping it together."
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[35:55] Doree Shafrir: "We understand the blind spot. We see it. Those of you who wrote in and called in are not alone."
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[36:44] Listener 3: "There are so many factors that go into it and I wish everybody great luck and really encourage everyone to do it."
Suggested Resources and Links
- Tower 28 Cream Blush: [Link or description]
- BetterHelp: betterhelp.com/forever35
- Quince: quince.com/fore35
- Shopify: shopify.com/fore35
This mini-episode of Forever35 provides listeners with a blend of personal storytelling, community support, and practical advice on maintaining and nurturing friendships amidst life's evolving circumstances. Through honest dialogue and shared experiences, Elise Hu and Sam Hunio foster a warm and supportive environment, reinforcing the show's commitment to exploring self-care and meaningful relationships.
