Podcast Summary: Therapuss with Jake Shane

Episode 103: Banks
Date: October 25, 2025
Guest: Banks (musician)
Host: Jake Shane

Overview

In this introspective and candid episode, Jake Shane ("Therapuss") sits down with acclaimed singer-songwriter Banks for a conversation blending music, mental health, and delightful tangents. The episode explores Banks’s recent musical milestones, life transitions, unique love story, touring experiences, artistic process, and opinions on everything from gym anxiety to AI. The pair also tackle audience-submitted dilemmas in their signature, empathetic but irreverent style.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Banks’ Recent Career Moves and Collaborations

[02:14–03:06]

• Released a new album and headlined an American tour.
• Opened for Lana Del Rey in the UK (Glasgow, Dublin, Liverpool).
• First time collaborating with Lana; describes her as "the sweetest, coolest, most talented" and recounts how the opportunity came about quickly and organically.
• Banks praises Lana's live show for its cinematic staging.

2. Living in Seattle & Personal Growth

[03:10–04:51]

• Moved from LA to Seattle two years ago for a change of pace and because her fiancé is from there.
• Seattle described as a calming, restorative home base outside the entertainment industry.
• Discussion on local activities (nature, hiking, fishing, fly fishing plans).

3. Iconic Music Placement: "Crowded Places" on Girls

[05:08–05:45]

• Lena Dunham reached out to use Banks’s song "Crowded Places" in the finale of Girls – a point of deep pride:

  "Such an honor to have a song in the finale of the entire show. So…was unreal." — Banks [05:34]

4. Wedding & Relationship Stories

[05:47–10:43]

• Engaged to a retired lacrosse player, now a coach.
• Recounts a wild first date: fiancé visited during COVID, her car was stolen, involved in a police chase, and found with an open jar of Nutella and a stranger’s luggage.

  "Honestly, that is the craziest first date story I’ve ever heard." — Jake [10:25]

• Sweet proposal involving cherry blossoms in Seattle.

5. Dating, Self-Awareness, and Readiness for Relationships

[11:10–12:20]

• Jake shares candid reflections on not being ready for a relationship due to his lifestyle.

  "I just think it would be too selfish of me to say that I am... I cannot... give myself to someone like that." — Jake [12:12]

6. Touring: Joys and Challenges

[12:32–15:14]

• Both have extensive touring experience—discuss exhaustion, the importance of routine and team dynamics, and how it "feels kind of like adult summer camp" once you find your rhythm.
• Banks recalls her first tour opening for The Weeknd and learning to manage “show-day” anxiety.

7. Musical Creativity & The Artistry Process

[17:51–18:55]

• Banks only writes when inspiration strikes—sees herself as a "medium."

  "It feels like I'm a medium almost, and I don't even know what I'm writing about till it's happening." — Banks [18:20]

• First forays into songwriting were therapeutic and stream-of-consciousness, later evolving into her signature style.

8. Music Industry Beginnings & Viral Breakthrough

[19:28–21:41]

• Initially majored in psychology at USC.
• Got discovered when her demos (shared via SoundCloud) were picked up by influential radio host Zane Lowe.
• "[Seeing] people sing my lyrics and how much… it resonates with people… it's still surreal," Banks shares, especially after years of writing for herself.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Empowerment & Female Success:

  “I just feel like guys are generally intimidated by, you know, a successful woman. So I was very intrigued by [my fiancé’s] confidence.” — Banks [06:44]

• On Touring:

  “It fucks your adrenal glands… but now it feels kind of like adult summer camp… you need the right team and energies.” — Banks [13:02–13:59]

• On Songwriting:

  “When I write, it's not like a mental thing. It just needs to [flow]… like I’m a medium.” — Banks [18:19]

• On Show Venues:

  “Playing Radio City in New York was pretty legendary for me.” — Banks [16:46]

• On Artistic Authenticity:

  "Art is literally to express what you need to express... the antithesis of art is having a robot just make something for you." — Banks [34:02]

• On Relationship Advice:

  "If you really like someone, you can make it work. I dated someone that was in Australia when I was in LA. Like, I think you could." — Banks [37:38]

Audience "Tell Me What's Wrong" Advice Segment

[26:31–39:47]
Rapid-fire, witty, and heartfelt commentary on listener submissions:

• Sex Dream about a Friend’s Dad:
  Consensus: Don’t tell the friend; just move on.

  "You just have to swallow it and pretend..." — Jake [26:57]

• Toxic Ex Posting Texts Online:
  Strongly condemned as “psychotic,” with advice to ignore public perception.

  "Anybody who would do that looks way worse than the person they're posting about." — Banks [27:44]

• Competitive Sibling College Applications:
  Advice: Don’t judge yourself for feeling competitive; it doesn’t actually lower chances.

  "Maybe don't tell her, like, I hope you don't get in. Maybe work through those feelings." — Banks [30:50]

• Toxic Friendships:
  If you know someone is draining, take a step back, even if it means losing mutual friends.

• Crushing on an AI Bot:
  Both amused and unsettled; warning that creative work should remain human-driven.

• Gym Anxiety:
  Everyone feels out of place at first! No one is really watching you—just go for it.

• Long Distance Relationships:
  Get creative with movie nights, reading the same book, and FaceTime. "If you want it to work, you’ll find a way."

• Overuse of "Slay":
  If your roommate says "slay" even when someone dies, it might be time for a heart-to-heart.

• Unrequited Love for a Friend (asked to be Maid of Honor):
  Don’t act on feelings—put them aside, or politely decline if it will be too hard.

Personal, Pop Culture & Music Chat

• Banks is currently watching Vampire Diaries (“best show ever”) [23:27].
• Jake’s favorite show of the moment is Mr. Robot.
• Banks avoids horror movies, preferring to read plots on Wikipedia instead.

Music Recommendations:

• Lou (French artist), Ray, “Crung Bin,” Maribou State, Brandy (her warm-up artist), Imogen Heap.
• On Fiona Apple:

  "Fiona Apple is, like, for me, that one artist when I was younger that, like, who really, really was the one for me... she's raw and real and... divinely, femininely wild." — Banks [41:56]

Standout Timestamps

• Opening & Lana Del Rey Tour: [02:14–03:06]
• Moving to Seattle/Life Changes: [03:10–04:51]
• First Date Chaos: [07:00–10:43]
• Crowded Places Placement: [05:16–05:45]
• Discussion on Touring: [12:32–15:14], [16:46]
• Songwriting Process: [17:51–18:55], [21:03]
• "Tell Me What's Wrong" Segment: [26:31–39:47]
• Banks’ Music & TV Picks: [40:33–43:17]
• Reflections & End: [43:45–44:10]

Wrap-up & Takeaways

The episode is a blend of laughter, vulnerability, and practical wisdom on art, relationships, performing, and embracing change. Banks's groundedness and candor shine, making even the wildest stories (like a rom-com first date involving stolen cars and Nutella) feel relatable. Jake’s openness about self-awareness and mental health sets a tone of empathy and humor.

Final Quote:

"I think I should probably be, like, one of those, like, Dear Amy people. Because you're good. I really enjoyed that exercise." — Banks [43:45]

Great for fans of Banks, aspiring artists, or anyone seeking advice with a blend of humor and sincerity.