Forever35 Mini-Ep 460: The New Mom Jeans

Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu
Date: September 10, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively and relatable mini-episode, Doree and Elise dive into listener questions and share their own experiences on topics including finding joy through decluttering, navigating work transitions, practical skincare (like night creams, microneedling, and laser hair removal), and the surprising quest for the perfect "mom jeans." The duo brings their signature blend of warmth, humor, and self-awareness as they crowdsource advice from their engaged community and unpack what it really means to care for ourselves as we get older – and, hopefully, wiser.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dish Towels, Dish Rags, and the Joy of Listener Recommendations

• The episode opens with playful banter about their recent deep-dive into dish towel discourse, reflecting the quirky interests of the Forever35 community.
• Elise: “I always love discovering what our community is going to be interested in… Dish rags or just rags generally really led to a bounty. A bounty of calls.” (01:42)
• Elise gushes about the Geometry towel brand, noting lasting impact from listener suggestions and even admits to using their own podcast discount code.

2. Decluttering as Self-Care & the Role of AI

• Doree shares her and partner Matt's realization that home clutter is holding them back, both mentally and physically.
  • She turns to ChatGPT for structuring a decluttering and organizing plan – and even for professional organization advice:
  • “I have asked it for some help. It gave me a plan. It also gave me a plan to get my professional life together. So I'm really just leaning on it for helping me get my shit together.” (04:28)
• Elise raises environmental concerns about using generative AI and compares it (humorously) to the footprint of eating beef, landing on meatless living as her “offset.”
  • “My offset is I don't eat meat… I feel good now.” (05:07)

3. Nurturing Friendships & Work Networking

• Doree recounts seeking both emotional support and professional advice from a longtime friend, culminating in a heartwarming reminder about maintaining connections:
  • “She was like, text me anytime. If you're out for a walk and you just want to chat… I think I need that reminder.” (07:00)
• The hosts play a voicemail from Shauna, a speech pathologist moving from hospital to school work, seeking self-care advice for her new professional setting.
  • Shauna: “I was just hoping to crowdsource some self-care and any tips or tricks from my fellow school-based human beings...” (07:48)

4. Community Sourcing: Advice for School-Based Professionals

• The hosts invite the Forever35 community – especially educators – to share advice with Shauna, emphasizing connection and communal wisdom.
  • “All right folks, you heard the question from Shauna. How can she best take care of herself while working in a school setting for the first time…” – Elise (09:20)
• Call to action: Listeners encouraged to call, email, or text their thoughts.

5. The State of Coworking Spaces

• Updates on the coworking landscape with listener tips about Denver’s TARRA (praised for its “most flattering lighting”) and recent news about notable spaces closing or changing ownership.
  • “Lighting is a good selling point… an oft overlooked detail.” – Elise (13:17)

6. Skincare: Microneedling & Laser Hair Removal

• Microneedling:
  • Listener Amy reminds that a series is recommended for optimal results (not one and done).
  • Doree shares candidly about her own experience and compares it to laser treatments: “Lasers was also challenging because they’re specifically zapping off like hyperpigmentation... you’re walking around with these very dark, freckly looking things.” (16:36)
• Laser Hair Removal:
  • Multiple listeners provide enthusiastic encouragement and practical advice – from choosing salons to managing discomfort.
  • Notable caller, Jessica: Offers detailed tips:
    • Use lidocaine cream for numbing.
    • Cooling air helps with pain.
    • Best for those with dark hair and skin.
    • Seek coupons for multi-session packages.
    • “Once I did the first, I want to say six sessions, then I’ve only been back twice a year since.” (19:36)
  • Both hosts and listeners agree: the pain is “more surprising than painful” and much less intense than waxing.

7. The Quest for the Perfect “Mom Jeans”

• Segment sparked by a listener asking for jeans recommendations that are comfortable and stylish – ideally for "mom bods."
• Listener Tips:
  • Cut From The Kloth 'Meg' Wide Leg Jeans:
    • “They are stretchy but not too stretchy, soft but not floppy. I get compliments literally every time I wear them.” (23:03)
    • Suggests sizing down; notes they're regularly on sale and available at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack.
  • Uniqlo Drapey Wide Flare Jeans:
    • “They're comfortable, flattering, and the fabric is so soft… Sizing by waist and length makes it easy to find a fit.” (25:04)
  • Universal Standard Denim:
    • Listener praises the Donna High Rise Curve Straight Leg: “I used to think people that wore jeans all the time were like sociopaths… but I wore jeans every single day this summer and swear they like became one with my body.” (26:54)
• Doree: “I feel like the jeans might become the new dish rags. I'm just going to put that out there.” (28:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Elise on the unpredictable interests of their community:

  • “We always love discovering what our community is going to be interested in and what gets y'all to call in. Dish rags… led to a bounty of calls.” (01:42)

• Doree on self-awareness and leaning on technology:

  • “I'm really just… leaning on [AI] for helping me get my shit together.” (04:28)

• Shauna (Caller):

  • “You know, I didn't win Powerball last night, so I do have to actually do my job…” (08:30)

• Listener on laser hair removal:

  • “If you have ever been waxed in the bikini area, you will sail through the laser process… Compared to the pain of a Brazilian wax, this felt like getting a handshake.” (18:22)

• Listener on Universal Standard Jeans:

  • “I used to think people that wore jeans all the time were like sociopaths… But I wore jeans every single day this summer and I swear they like became one with my body.” (26:54)

• Doree on recurring themes:

  • “I feel like the jeans might become the new dish rags.” (28:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------| | 01:12 | Show start & dish towel banter | | 03:27 | Doree’s decluttering journey (+AI help) | | 05:07 | Environmental offsets: AI vs. eating meat | | 07:48 | Voicemail: Shauna seeks school-based self-care tips | | 12:26 | Community emails: Coworking spaces after The Wing/Jane Club | | 14:22 | Microneedling: series recommended, aftercare realities | | 17:53 | Listener tips: Laser hair removal pros and best practices | | 19:36 | Jessica from Texas: Detailed hair removal advice | | 23:03 | Jeans recommendations: Cut From The Kloth ‘Meg’ | | 25:04 | Uniqlo’s wide flare jeans endorsed | | 26:54 | Listener: Universal Standard gets high praise | | 28:40 | Hosts predict jeans will become the next “hot topic” |

Summary

This Forever35 mini-episode is packed with trusted advice, product recommendations, and the warm, witty rapport that keeps listeners coming back. Whether you’re seeking a skin upgrade, a wardrobe refresh, or just want to feel a little less alone in the joyful chaos of adulting, Doree and Elise (and their community) deliver real talk with heart and humor. The highlights: honesty about self-care pitfalls, the value of crowdsourcing wisdom, and jeans that you might just love enough to never take off.