Forever35 Mini-Ep 462: Jeans, Laser Machines, and Short-Hair Queens

Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu
Date: September 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively and thoughtful mini-episode, Doree and Elise connect with their community to answer listener questions and share advice and personal stories about self-care as adulthood evolves. Topics range from laser hair removal, career transitions, and closet cleanouts, to taking risks with haircuts, recycling empties, and jeans recommendations. The episode features multiple listener calls and texts, providing on-the-ground wisdom and a sense of camaraderie. Throughout, the hosts maintain their trademark humor and warmth, inviting everyone to challenge norms and find what feels good for them.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Emotional Check-in and Parenting Moments

[01:31] – [03:07]

• Elise opens up about the chaos of recent weeks, the importance of self-care, and celebrating "the small wins" like attending her daughter's first volleyball game.
• Quote:

  "I'm trying to get to bed earlier. I'm trying to celebrate the small wins. I'm trying to hug my kids tight."
  – Elise Hu [01:31]

2. Listener Q&A: Leaving a Baby for the First Time

[03:54] – [05:40]

• A listener shares tips for other parents struggling to leave their baby during work trips, including journaling as if writing to the child.
• Highlights of her advice:
  • Journaling helps maintain a sense of connection and may be a cherished keepsake for the child.
  • The time apart allows the partner to bond more deeply with the baby.
• Quote:

  "One thing that I did was I would journal in the evenings like I was writing to my kid...it made me feel really connected to her and also made me realize how cool my job was..."
  – Listener Caller 1 [04:04]

3. Switching Career Paths: Hospital to School Work

[06:16] – [08:53]

• Former teacher and school-based professionals call in with advice for those transitioning to school settings.
• Emphasize:
  • Navigating isolation as a service provider (e.g., Speech-Language Pathologist).
  • The benefits of joining lunchroom/staff lounge culture.
  • The importance of taking actual lunch breaks to avoid burnout.
  • Advice to connect with IEP teams and use midday walks or time outside for self-care.
• Quote:

  "Schools are like really busy, hectic places...it can be really easy to get caught up in that hustle and bustle and to not take breaks."
  – Listener Caller 2 [06:16]

4. Parenting Podcast Crossover

[10:14] – [11:52]

• A listener recalls "The Longest Shortest Time" podcast returning, with Elise as a guest.
• Elise reflects on sharing personal stories, including international birthing experiences and family history, and her new podcast "Raising Us."
• Quote:

  "I'm taking on parenting as a topic for the first time in my career as part of hosting Raising Us, the new parenting podcast."
  – Elise Hu [10:46]

5. Laser Hair Removal: DIY Devices

[15:28] – [17:12]

• Listeners inquire about or recommend at-home laser hair removal devices, highlighting brands like Braun, Gillette, and TRIA.
• Hosts admit curiosity but no direct experience.
• There's an open call for more community reviews on favorite devices.
• Quote:

  "If there are other listeners out there who like your at home laser hair removal device or hair removal device generally, be sure to call, write or text us."
  – Elise Hu [16:45]

6. Challenging Beauty “Expert” Advice: The Short Hair Debate

[17:12] – [22:21]

• A listener rejects standard haircut advice for her round face and discovers joy in a French bob, earning compliments and newfound confidence.
• Hosts strongly affirm the value of defying prescriptive “expert” rules.
• Discussion ranges from outdated beauty charts to the relevance of color theory in styling.
• Quotes:

  "Yes, we are all too unique to be categorized. Yes, we are too unique to be following narrow beauty standards."
  – Elise Hu [18:36]
  "Take what's useful to you and ignore the rest."
  – Doree Shafrir [19:58]

7. On Color Theory & Guidelines

[20:28] – [22:21]

• Doree and Elise discuss past experiences with color consultants and personalizing recommendations.
• Doree reveals her "moonlit winter" color palette but still occasionally wears off-palette favorites.

8. Refilleries, Empties, and Jeans Recycling

[25:03] – [29:01]

• A listener educates the community on “refilleries” (bulk stores for home/personal products) and how to recycle containers and even jeans.
• Discussion expands to textile and sample recycling tips, and where to donate gently used clothes.
• Popular jeans recommended: Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love “Dad” jeans.
• Quote:

  "I have taken ripped jeans to textile recycling bins...I've heard that you can turn jeans into insulation for a house."
  – Listener Text [27:32]

9. Career Suggestion – Collegiate Advising

[26:37] – [27:18]

• A listener suggests Doree would excel in the collegiate advising/admissions space, sparking thoughts on new career potentials.

10. Listener Follow-Up: IUD Removal

[29:20] – [29:40]

• Quick reassurance offered on the near-painless experience of IUD removal.
• Quote:

  "Getting an IUD taken out is way easier and nearly painless."
  – Listener Text [29:20]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Take what's useful to you and ignore the rest." – Doree Shafrir [19:58]
• "I love that you did that. And those hair cut recommendations for face shape kind of remind me of those tables that they had in Seventeen magazine growing up..." – Elise Hu [19:27]
• "I get those [laser devices] advertised to me on Instagram and I don't know which ones are good." – Elise Hu [16:45]
• "Definitely worth checking out. I think I'm curious like all the things that they offer." – Doree Shafrir [25:43]
• On parenting: "It was like a 90 minute interview that they cut down into 45 minutes. But it felt really good to just chat for a while." – Elise Hu [11:52]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Opening check-ins & self-care – [01:31]
• Listener: Leaving baby for first time – [04:04]
• Career pivots: Hospital to school – [06:16], [08:53]
• Listener: Parenting podcasts & Elise's guest spot – [10:14]
• Laser hair removal: At-home devices – [15:34]
• Challenging haircut “expert” advice – [17:12]
• Color theory & personal style – [20:28]
• Refilleries and eco-conscious tips – [25:03]
• Jeans recycling & recommendations – [27:32]
• IUD removal feedback – [29:20]

Final Thoughts

The episode encapsulates Forever35’s focus on community-driven advice, humor, and the invitation to bend or break “expert” rules in favor of what works best for you. Whether discussing parenting challenges, self-presentation, hair removal hacks, or sustainable living, Doree and Elise advocate for staying curious, celebrating individuality, and supporting each other through every messy, beautiful stage of adulthood.