Podcast Summary: The Skinny Confidential Him And Her Show

Episode: Lauryn Bosstick On The Story She's Never Fully Told
Hosts: Lauryn Bosstick, Michael Bosstick
Date: December 15, 2025
Production: Dear Media

Episode Overview

This exceptionally vulnerable episode features Lauryn Bosstick sharing, for the first time in full, the story of losing her mother to suicide when she was 18. Lauryn and Michael explore grief, the impact of loss on identity and ambition, mental health taboos, generational trauma, and the power of forgiveness. This emotional conversation aims to convey empathy and support for listeners navigating their own personal losses—especially during the holidays—while encouraging openness around mental health.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Lauryn’s Motivation for Sharing Her Story

• Lauryn acknowledges she’s long avoided discussing her mother’s death publicly, both out of privacy for her family and from a desire not to be seen as a victim (00:34).
• She is motivated by the idea of helping listeners feel less alone during the often-challenging holiday season and to provide fuller context to her personal and professional journey.
• Quote: “I think giving context will help people to understand me…but also, I think the holidays are coming up. And for me and I know for a lot of you, the holidays are hard.” (00:34)

Lauryn’s Early Experience with Loss

• At 18, Lauryn’s mother died by suicide, leaving her 12-year-old sister and her father (03:49).
• The context in 2005: far less public conversation about mental health, compounding the isolation and confusion she felt.
• The suicide was completely unexpected and “jarring” (05:58), particularly given her warm, “magical” upbringing.

Reflections and Guilt in the Aftermath

• Lauryn describes profound guilt—not just for her own feelings, but for having to “overcompensate” for her sister and father (07:45).
• She acknowledges this became a driving force for her ambition but warns that eventually the coping mechanisms of burying pain stop working (after becoming a mother herself).

Taboo of Suicide & Lack of Mental Health Tools

• Michael notes that at the time, talking about suicide and mental health was essentially taboo, leaving Lauryn and her family even more isolated (09:00).
• Lauryn used reading obsessively as a tool to escape; she recounts searching for information online because there were no resources in her real life (10:10).
• Quote: “There was no Instagram, there was no Facebook, there was no mental health awareness really at all…we really didn’t have any tools.” (03:49)

Processing and Lingering Questions

• Lauryn shares the psychological spiral of “what ifs” that survivors often experience, replaying the last conversations for clues or missed opportunities (11:13).
• She reflects on how differently her sister processed the loss, shutting down while Lauryn tried to take responsibility or control.

Lasting Effects on Family

• Lauryn’s sister struggled with addiction in the aftermath, beginning “very hardcore drugs at a very young age” (14:58).
• Lauryn describes actively working to break the cycles and reprogram her own beliefs, especially concerned after reading that “suicide runs in the family.” (16:18)

Motherhood & Empathy

• Becoming a parent has made Lauryn more empathetic to her mother’s struggles, and more aware of the mental health risks she herself faces (12:34, 20:25).
• She notes how her methods for managing mental health have evolved, and she passionately supports routines like cold exposure, sauna, weightlifting, and sunlight as key supports postpartum (21:19).

The Role of Forgiveness

• Lauryn emphasizes the centrality of forgiving her mother—not excusing, but deeply understanding her pain, anger, and choices. This forgiveness has brought peace and clarity, not chaos.
• Quote: “The forgiveness piece is so important because it really does set you free. I feel like I could sit here and hold a lot of anger…But…I have extreme empathy for her.” (23:07)

Advice for Supporting the Bereaved

• Michael asks how friends can help. Lauryn says checking in after the initial wave of support is most meaningful—months and even years later (27:54).
• Quote: “A year down the line, it’s helpful for someone to check in. I know that it’s been 20 years now. I still find it helpful when someone checks in.” (27:54)

Loss as Fuel, Not a Definition

• Lauryn acknowledges that her loss gave her independence, ambition, empathy, and resilience—but she won’t let it define her identity (29:53).
• Quote: “Any sad or unhappy or devastating experience…you can let it fuel you…but you also can hold the loss. … Let it motivate you, but you can also still hold the loss, and you can still practice forgiveness, and you can still honor it without having to feel like a victim.” (23:07)

Final Message & Takeaways

• Lauryn urges listeners not to let loss or hardship define them—it’s “just a chapter” (30:14).
• Her wisdom: “Let it inform you, not define you. For me, personally, the biggest shift wasn’t happiness, it was peace. I…feel calm in my life now, and I think it’s possible for you, too.” (30:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Michael: “You’re one of the strongest individuals I’ve ever met.” (03:31)
• Lauryn: “It was very, very isolating…there was no mental health awareness really at all.” (03:49)
• Lauryn: “You don’t just feel guilt for the person that died. You feel guilt for the people around you.” (07:45)
• Michael: “You as an individual are a very uncommon outcome.” (25:03)
• Lauryn: “I forgive my mom. And not only that…a part of me…understand[s] how she got there.” (18:50)
• Lauryn: “Let it inform you, not define you. … It doesn’t have to be the whole book. It can be just a chapter.” (30:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:34 – Lauryn explains why she waited to tell this story and her motivation now.
• 03:49 – Lauryn recounts her mother’s suicide, the lack of mental health resources, and the “jarring” aftermath.
• 07:45 – Coping through guilt, overcompensation, and the drive to achieve.
• 10:10 – Turning to books and information-seeking in absence of support.
• 11:13 – The spiral of “what ifs” after a suicide.
• 14:58 – Impact on Lauryn’s sister and family; generational trauma.
• 16:18 – Breaking cycles; “suicide runs in the family” anxiety.
• 18:50 – The power of forgiveness and understanding her mother’s pain.
• 21:19 – Wellness routines as tools for mental health, especially postpartum.
• 23:07 – Processing, duality of being motivated and compassionate, and the centrality of empathy and forgiveness.
• 27:54 – Practical advice on supporting friends/family after a loss.
• 30:14 – Closing words: Loss forms a chapter—not the whole story.

Final Thoughts

This episode stands out for its courageous transparency and nuanced discussion of a traumatic loss. Lauryn’s account is raw yet practical, blending her personal journey with actionable insights for anyone facing grief, mental health struggles, or supporting loved ones. Michael provides grounding support and thoughtful observation, making this a deeply relatable and resource-rich listen, especially as the holidays approach.