Therapuss with Jake Shane

Episode: Session 104: Jake's Birthday w/ Brett!
Date: October 30, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special birthday episode of Therapuss, Jake Shane celebrates turning 26 alongside his close friend Brett. It's the penultimate episode of Season 2—a season Jake reflects on with heartfelt gratitude for the unexpected success and major guests, including Selena Gomez and Lorde. The conversation is intimate and full of friendship, featuring everything from marathon struggles and music deep-dives to advice on submissions from listeners. The episode’s tone is candid, self-aware, humorous, and, above all, rooted in connection—with Jake’s audience, his friends, and himself.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reflections on Turning 26 & Birthdays

• Jake’s Changing Attitude Towards Birthdays

  • Jake shares he’s feeling “old” and more emotional about birthdays, not enjoying them as much as when he was younger, but appreciating the love from friends and the community:

    "I feel old. I officially. I'm not sure I enjoy my birthday anymore. I was, like, emotional yesterday. Love presents. Got a few great ones ... But I think birthdays are just a little stressful sometimes." (03:34)

  • He describes the stress of wanting the next year to be as good as (or better than) the last one.
  • Jake highlights how he celebrates his birthday through music, marking each year with a specific playlist to document his journey—his "favorite part" of each birthday.

• Brett’s Perspective on Jake’s Birthday Traditions

  • Brett teases Jake about how he used to want surprises for his birthdays, but was never actually surprised.
  • The conversation shifts to their plans—a relaxed weekend with shopping and workouts—which contrasts with previous years' expectations.
  • Touches on the importance of showing up and making time for friends.

2. Brett's Marathon Experience

• The Realities Behind “Perfect” Social Media Moments

  • Brett recounts her recent marathon, where things went wrong (“tears for a while”), but chose to “make content out of it”—a philosophy she credits to Jake:

    "I learned this from Jake: everything that happens to you is content." (06:57)

  • She openly discusses the disappointment of not meeting expectations, dealing with unexpected cramps (suspected to be anxiety-related), and the challenges of marathon training.

• Vulnerability as Inspiration

  • Brett reflects:

    "A lot of people were saying, ‘this is more inspiring than if you had the perfect race,’ which made me feel good." (07:36)

  • Jake and Brett both discuss the importance of showing the 'downs' as well as the 'ups' to foster real community.

• Friendship in Hard Moments

  • Heartwarming description of Max (Brett’s partner) jumping into the race to support her, which helped her finish.

3. Pop Culture Deep-Dives

a. Louvre Robbery Hot Takes ([12:31–19:55])

• Jake and Brett are fascinated by news of a jewel heist at the Louvre, teasing out pop-culture references (“this is so Ocean’s 8!”), discussing conspiracy theories (inside job? black market? secret billionaire?), and riffing on how the robbers might be living it up in a Parisian loft.
• Jake imagines the robbers playing “Robbers” by The 1975 as their getaway song—full-on chills.
• Discussion about compiling their own "seven-minute getaway playlist," leading to spirited music picks.

b. Music: Albums & Songs on Repeat

• Lily Allen’s New Album “West End Girl” ([25:58–30:24])
  • Jake passionately summarizes the album’s themes (divorce, vulnerability, starting over, explicit honesty), its matter-of-fact British lyricism, and how it's “melodrama for divorced 40-year-olds”—but still relatable to him at 26.
  • Notable moment:

    “I’m not divorced or 40 and I felt like I was both.” (30:11)

• Discussion of “Showgirl” Album ([30:26–33:01])
  • Both gush about their favorite tracks (“Fatal Ophelia,” “Father Figure,” “Elizabeth Taylor”), analyzing specific lyrics and Internet discourse about their meanings.
• Bon Iver’s “Sable Fable” ([33:15–35:51])
  • Jake shares how the album has been a lifeline for him this year, moving through darkness to hope.
  • Reads lyrics aloud to Brett, expressing how music helps process feelings.

4. Community & Running Jokes

• Explanation of their in-group phrase “it’s tears” for describing anything negative, taking over from the word “boof.”
• Fun with internet trends—“group seven” mystique on TikTok.
• Jake and Brett’s comfort in leaning into their quirks and ongoing banter.

5. Listener Advice – “Tell Me What’s Wrong” Segment ([49:59–61:49])

Jake and Brett field submissions with honesty, humor, and musical prescriptions. Advice is often tough-love, grounded, and pop-culture-savvy. Highlights:

• Overwhelming Public Proposal: “If you’re not there, you’re not there… that claustrophobia was physical and mental.” (50:59)
• Boyfriend bored, searching Reddit: “That’s not your husband… you don’t deserve a guy searching how to handle being bored with you.” (51:34)
• Roommate boundary issues: “That’s not normal and that’s really weird.” (52:37)
• Navigating adulthood post-college: “There is no meantime, you kind of need to grow up... especially being comfortable alone.” (54:13)
• Family secrets—a hidden brother: “At a certain age you realize parents are just grown up children… and it’s the worst” and “you have to give your mom a little grace… two things can be true: betrayal and still family.” (58:24)
• Uncle starting cult on inherited farm: “You can’t let your uncle start a cult,” urging intervention (60:35), with a morbidly funny aside about how it’d make a good documentary.

6. Personal Milestones & Growth

• Jake opens up about personal growth: working out, healthy eating, mental health, the transformative power of journaling, and insecurities linked to feeling outside “the pretty person club.”
• Brett expresses intent to start journaling, too; both connect over the process of writing and self-reflection.
• They discuss routines and systems (“go to girls”) that helped over the last year.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Everything that happens to you is content.”
  — Brett, crediting Jake (06:57)
• “If they can rob the Louvre in seven minutes, I can do anything. I can walk on the treadmill for seven minutes. I can read a book for seven minutes.”
  — Jake (19:38)
• “People are calling it the melodrama for divorced 40 year olds. It is seriously amazing. I’m not divorced or 40 and I felt like I was both.”
  — Jake on Lily Allen’s album (30:11)
• “I think I realized I lost my journal and then I was like, I should probably start writing it down. All the best creatives write stuff down. I should start journaling.”
  — Jake (39:56)
• “Number one, but I never had two—I think she’s saying she’s never had a partner to share in her success. ... Or maybe she’s just literally never been number two.”
  — Jake & Brett break down a lyric (31:31)
• “At a certain point you realize your parents are just grown-up children.”
  — Jake, on family secrets (58:24)

Important Timestamps

• Jake reflects on the podcast’s success & birthday traditions: 00:13–03:40
• Birthday weekend plans & friendship: 04:52–05:54
• Brett’s marathon experience & lessons: 06:01–10:49
• Discussion about the Louvre jewel heist: 12:31–19:55
• Music: constructing a ‘seven-minute heist playlist’ 20:53–25:47
• Lily Allen & album breakdown: 25:58–30:24
• Favorite songs from ‘Showgirl’ & lyric analysis: 30:32–33:01
• Bon Iver’s ‘Sable Fable’ & the power of music: 33:15–35:51
• Mental health, fitness, and journaling: 38:02–41:23
• Explanation of “it’s tears”: 43:29–44:06
• Tell Me What’s Wrong – listener advice segment: 49:59–61:49
• Season reflections & final thoughts: 47:38, 63:19

Key Takeaways

• Radical Vulnerability: Jake’s comfort in sharing his insecurities, growth, struggles, and wins makes the episode deeply relatable.
• Real Friendship: The banter between Jake and Brett is a testament to the importance of showing up, supporting each other, and being honest.
• Honest Advice: Listener submissions are handled with kindness, directness, and humor—never sugarcoated, often paired with song recommendations.
• Pop Culture & Music Obsession: The show is as much therapy as it is a playground for Gen Z and millennial pop culture references, music critiques, and viral lingo.

Closing

As Jake prepares for the season finale and contemplates the next chapter, the warmth, humor, and authenticity of this penultimate episode shine. It’s a heartfelt look at friendship, the messiness of life, and the role that music, community, and honesty play in getting through it all—birthdays, tears, and all.

Listen for—

• The detailed “Tell Me What’s Wrong” advice—each problem is dissected humorously and empathetically
• The music deep-dives and enthusiastic storytelling about album highlights
• Candid conversations about the behind-the-scenes reality of adulthood, anxiety, and growth
• The special birthday celebration for Jake, capped off by a heartfelt happy birthday from his friends