Podcast Summary: Up Close and Personal with Laura Long
Podcast: Private Practice Startup
Hosts: Dr. Kate Campbell & Katie Lemieux
Guest: Laura Long (YourBadassTherapyPractice.com)
Date: November 11, 2019
Series: Up Close and Personal (Episode 1 of 5)
Overview
In this special, lighthearted interview, hosts Kate and Katie get “up close and personal” with Laura Long, well-known private practice coach, therapist, and founder of Your Badass Therapy Practice. The episode is a candid, funny, and sometimes raw dive into Laura’s life and personality—tracing her journey from New York childhood to badass businesswoman, uncovering real stories of family, teenage struggle, fear, pet peeves, and secret hobbies. Listeners get a rare window into the heart, humor, and hustle behind Laura’s public persona.
Major Themes & Key Discussion Points
1. Laura’s Backstory: From Long Island to Southern Belle
(03:01–08:38)
- Grew up on Long Island, New York, then moved to Charleston, South Carolina at age 11.
- Discussed the profound “culture shock” and the contrast between her Northern directness ("attitude") and Southern hospitality:
- “I can kind of balance the Southern belle with the middle finger.” (03:49)
- Was a “whoops baby” and only girl in a family of four, the youngest by six years, which made her feel like a psychological only child due to her brothers being much older.
2. Teenage Angst and the Rise of the Badass
(06:20–10:33)
- Laura candidly shares her struggles with adolescence:
- “I was heinous. My God, I was the worst teenager ever.” (06:28)
- Experienced bullying and isolation as a new student in a close-knit southern elementary school, which pushed her to develop a tough exterior.
- Became a “queen bee” in middle school as a defense mechanism.
- Channelled teen anger into soccer; became a competitive player, played for Olympic development teams, and rubbed elbows with legends like Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain.
3. College Years: Soccer & Song
(10:36–17:24)
- Earned a soccer scholarship to Southern Methodist University in Dallas but found the elite environment wasn’t a good fit.
- Transferred to Clemson, played soccer another year, then quit due to burnout.
- Pivoted creative energy into singing, joining and arranging music for an all-female a cappella group (“Clemson Take Note”).
- First entrepreneurial attempt: selling her vocal arrangements online (“Elle’s Arrangements”)—learned hard lessons about return on investment:
- “I think I probably made, like, $300 on that whole venture, and $200 was probably spent on the logo.” (16:34)
4. Becoming a Therapist: The Natural Fit
(17:24–20:52)
- Always felt destined to be a therapist—was the go-to confidant as a child and teen.
- Inspired by Oprah and Dr. Phil, always drawn to “bleeding heart” work.
- Chose Marriage and Family Therapy after visiting a mentor in graduate school—attended Auburn University’s prestigious MFT program.
Memorable Quotes & Candid Moments
On Imposter Syndrome & “Bitchy Brenda”
(23:02–28:05)
- Laura opens up about imposter syndrome and self-doubt, revealing her humorous way of coping:
- "So Bitchy Brenda is a character that I made up...she’s approximately 80 years old, she’s been smoking her whole life, and she lives in New York...she’s always there to tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about, and I’m a loser." (26:03)
- Demonstrates Brenda’s voice: “You don’t know what you’re talking about... you’re a piece of shit and nobody likes you.” (27:02)
- Emphasizes the importance of personifying negative self-talk to distance from it and continue pushing forward.
Practice-Building Wisdom
(28:05–29:41)
- Discusses the pressure to always create new content vs. refining signature material.
- Cites Russell Brunson’s entrepreneurial advice: Sell the same thing to new audiences rather than constantly reinventing the wheel.
Craziest Story: Singing for Barack Obama
(30:16–33:34)
- Tells the story of performing on stage with her a capella group during Obama’s campaign visit at Clemson:
- "I remember singing on stage...and I look up and there are snipers on the building and their gun pointed at me...after we sang, [Obama] gave us hugs and we had to sit behind him on stage during his speech." (30:23–33:17)
Personal Tidbits: Quirks, Peeves, and Soft Spots
Pet Peeves
(33:39–35:00)
- Can't stand missing or misplaced ingredients when cooking.
- “It’s obnoxious the level of rage that builds up in me when I’m trying to cook something and I either don’t have one of the ingredients...or if I just can’t find it.” (34:26)
Secret Addiction: Gardening
(35:18–39:38)
- Recent obsession: Ornamental gardening (not edible!); designs landscapes and even names her plants.
- Hilarious moment naming her favorite plants: “Sally the Mahonia,” “Jane the Magnolia,” “Lorapetalum” (“Laura”)… (37:40–39:28)
Embarrassing Family Story
(39:52–43:39)
- Age 16, Christmas Eve meltdown: Got a DVD player before her TV (which came the next day).
- “I stand up, I throw the DVD player against the wall, break a mirror. I’m screaming, ‘You guys don’t know me!’ Slam my door on Christmas Eve…” (41:54)
The Heart Behind the Badass
(43:52–46:11)
- Laura acknowledges her rough exterior but assures listeners she has a “soft middle” and cares deeply about loved ones’ opinions.
- Manages hater emails by putting them in a special “Entertainment” folder and sometimes responds for laughs.
Fun & Fast: The Lightning Round
(46:14–49:04)
- Biggest Splurge: “My dream house I bought this April.” (46:56)
- Spirit Animal: Her childhood cat, possibly also the inspiration for “Bitchy Brenda.” (47:02)
- Animal to Ride into Battle: “A thoroughbred, come on now.” (47:28)
- Favorite Cocktail: Long Island Iced Tea (47:35)
- Wilderness Comfort Item: “A stuffed puppy that I—(not from childhood, which makes it even funnier!)” (47:49)
- Favorite Movie: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (48:22)
- Freaky Friday Swap: Robin Williams (49:04)
Notable Timestamps
- 03:01 – Laura’s childhood and cultural contrast
- 06:28 – Teen angst and channeling energy into soccer
- 13:00 – Love of singing and karaoke favorites
- 15:28 – First entrepreneurial effort (“Elle’s Arrangements”)
- 17:24 – Becoming a therapist: roots and journey to grad school
- 23:15 – Vulnerability: fears, imposter syndrome, “Bitchy Brenda”
- 30:16 – Performing for Barack Obama
- 35:18 – Gardening obsession and naming plants
- 39:52 – Embarrassing family story: Christmas DVD player meltdown
- 43:52 – Revealing her “soft middle”
- 46:14 – Rapid-fire Lightning Round Q&A
Final Thoughts & Takeaways
- Laura Long’s “badass” business persona is deeply rooted in real struggle, resilience, humor, and heart.
- Creative outlets (sports, music, gardening) helped shape who she is.
- She battles self-doubt with humor, self-awareness, and by sharing her journey openly—modeling for listeners how to face imposter syndrome.
- Laura is fiercely committed to authenticity and encourages therapists to own their stories, quirks, and passions.
Memorable closing:
“I do have that, like, you know, the soft middle who has feelings. I have that.” (44:34)
For more from Laura, visit: YourBadassTherapyPractice.com
For free resources from the show: PrivatePracticeStartup.com