Before You Cut Bangs

Should you only travel with tier-one friends? How are you going to decide on who plays the music in the car? Most importantly, who will be there to talk Claire out of going to live with the monks? Those questions are answered this week on Before You Cut Bangs.

Ever look at someone and think, Wow, they really have it all figured out? Yeah… us neither. But a listener wrote in and asked about confidence—where it comes from, how to get it, and whether we just wake up feeling like we run the world (spoiler: we don’t).

In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers of confidence—how it’s less about knowing everything and more about surviving discomfort over and over again. We talk about imposter syndrome, faking it (until one day you’re not), and the hard truth that confidence isn’t something you get—it’s something you build. Sometimes that means failing. Sometimes it just means doing something terrifying and pretending you’re fine while you do it.

So before you make any bold moves (like, say… cutting bangs), tune in for a real talk on what confidence actually takes—and why it’s totally worth the discomfort.

We dig into the crucial differences between Licensed Professional Counselors (LCPs) and pastoral counselors, addressing how negative church experiences can deter people from seeking effective therapy. Inspired by a listener's traumatic encounter with an unlicensed "counselor" who imposed detrimental contractual agreements, we delve into avoiding harmful mental healthcare experiences. We discuss essential questions to ask and emphasize seeking appropriate care: just as you wouldn't consult a church for a broken leg, mental health concerns require qualified professionals.

Are you listening!? Will probably isn't. Laura and Claire explore the complexities of being a good listener, discussing different approaches to friends versus acquaintances, and the role personal boundaries play in these interactions. 

We are knocking on the doors of Christmas and trying to capture the magic, but not get sucked into the world of comparisons and feeling like we didn’t do enough for our family, friends, and especially our kids.

The holiday season ushers in lots of good stuff, like joy and memory making— but if we aren’t careful it can all feel like insurmountable pressure. We hope as you listen wherever you are on your journey- you’ll be reminded that the real magic of the holidays is spending time with your people. We hope you laugh with us this episode and are reminded— no one’s kids are going to therapy later in life over what Santa or the damn elf brought— so relax, make some hot chocolate, play some games and love your people. 

The hardest thing in life is to be in a relationship with people that we hoped would change and then we wake up one day and realize maybe they won’t… or can’t. 

On this episode, we are diving into how to navigate those relationships and come to terms with the reality of what IS TRUE. 

We're all fascinated with true crime and documentaries in general, but why? Filmmaker Matthew Galkin joins us for a fascinating conversation about the incredible influence of documentaries, highlighting how they transform perspectives and ignite important discussions. 

Matthew opens up about his shift into the true crime genre, a transition he never anticipated but found fascinating due to the genre's combination of mystery, voyeurism, and the pursuit of justice. 

Now that Halloween is over the real spooky season begins for some of us as we step into the holiday gathering season with our families. We are rolling out three ways to approach conversations you don’t want to have (again) and talking through the ones you want to avoid altogether. This episode is all about taking care of yourself and still showing up and enjoying even the most awkward of family gatherings. Let’s eat the turkey, kiss the babies, and avoid the drama! 

Taking therapy beyond the traditional couch, Laura and Claire explore unconventional methods like somatic and movement-based therapies that might just unlock those traumas your body refuses to let go of. 

Most importantly, how many times can Laura be scared by a fake spider, and what are our three hosts most afraid of (other than the fake spider)?

This week on "Before You Cut Bangs," we’re kicking off with our new segment, "Show and Tell." Claire shares the most scandalous gifts she received with Laura and Will, including "Clone a Willie" and "Clone a Lady Part" kits. Guess which one has batteries...

We dive headfirst into the pressures of perfectionism on social media. Is the flawless life you see online really as perfect as it seems? Join us as we explore the contrast between meticulously curated posts and the chaotic reality behind the scenes. From our personal tales of perfectionism to the concept of "fake it till you make it," we even throw in an AI roast of an Instagram feed for good measure. Let's tackle the authenticity issues head-on and question the real motives behind those idealized snapshots.