Welcome back to Boundaries & Banter — the podcast where sisters-in-law Taryn & Michela get real about family, parenting, boundaries, and mental health.
In this powerful episode, we sit down with educational psychologist Dr. Alyssa Landau-Glick to explore how self-concept and self-esteem are formed in children. We dive deep into twice-exceptional (2E) learners, the difference between self-concept (your life story) and self-esteem (how you feel about yourself), the dangers of fixed vs. growth mindset, the impact of parental labeling (“you’re so shy/smart/awkward”), collaborative problem-solving, grit, scaffolding tasks, and how gentle parenting can either build or unintentionally harm a child’s inner narrative.
Dr. Alyssa shares practical tools for fostering resilience, autonomy, and authentic confidence without over-praising or projecting our own emotions onto our kids.
If you’re a parent (or planning to be), this conversation will shift how you speak to and support your children.

00:00 Welcome & Dr. Alyssa’s Journey
03:45 What is Twice-Exceptional (2E)?
08:30 Self-Concept vs Self-Esteem Explained
14:20 How Parents Shape Self-Concept (Labels & Language)
20:45 Fixed vs Growth Mindset in Kids
27:30 Grit, Resilience & Scaffolding Tasks
34:10 Collaborative Problem Solving & Gentle Parenting
42:00 Zones of Proximal Development
48:30 Would You Rather Parenting Edition

Drop a comment: What label did you grow up with that stuck with you? How do you build your child’s self-concept?
Subscribe for more honest parenting & boundary conversations and follow us on Instagram @boundariesandbanter.
#Parenting #SelfEsteem #SelfConcept #GrowthMindset #TwiceExceptional #GentleParenting #ChildDevelopment #BoundariesAndBanter #EducationalPsychology #MomLife

Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️
Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between.

👇 Stay connected with us:
📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter

🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter

▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter

💌 Share your story: [email protected]

#BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #WomensPodcast

Welcome back to Boundaries & Banter — the podcast where sisters-in-law Taryn & Michela get real about life, boundaries, relationships, and mental health.
In this raw wellness check episode, we bring it back to basics and talk about where we’re really at. From constant exhaustion and surviving instead of thriving, to the nonstop cycle of sick kids, allergies, OIT appointments, work stress (especially as a litigator), financial pressure in California, beauty standards, postpartum recovery, digital detox, and the unrealistic expectations we all face as moms and working women.
We also touch on gratitude, rewiring your brain, checking in on friends, radical acceptance of hard seasons, and why it’s okay to sit in negative emotions without immediately trying to “fix” them.
If you’re feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or just need to hear that you’re not alone — this one’s for you.
Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome & Wellness Check
01:30 Surviving vs Thriving as Moms
04:45 Sick Kids, Allergies & OIT Life
09:30 Attorney Burnout & Big Law Reality
14:20 Financial Pressure & Cost of Living
19:40 Beauty Standards, Ozempic & Unrealistic Expectations
25:10 Digital Detox & Social Media Pressure
30:30 Gratitude, Sitting in Hard Emotions & Checking on Friends
36:20 Would You Rather Segment

Drop a comment: Are you currently thriving or just surviving? What’s been your biggest pressure lately?
Subscribe for more honest conversations and follow us on Instagram @boundariesandbanter.
#MomBurnout #WellnessCheck #Burnout #Motherhood #WorkLifeBalance #FinancialStress #BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealth #SurvivingNotThriving #MomLife

Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️
Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between.

👇 Stay connected with us:
📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter

🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter

▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter

💌 Share your story: [email protected]

#BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #WomensPodcast

Welcome back to Boundaries & Banter — the podcast where sisters-in-law Taryn & Michela get real about family, relationships, boundaries, and mental health without the fluff.
In this eye-opening episode, we welcome back licensed therapist Bernadine Fried to break down narcissism — one of the most talked-about (and often misused) topics on social media today.
Berni explains narcissism as a spectrum (malignant/grandiose vs. covert/vulnerable traits), classic tactics like love bombing, gaslighting, devaluation & discarding, how narcissists react to boundaries, what narcissistic parenting really looks like (golden child vs scapegoat), the gray rock method, radical acceptance, and why true closure is often a fantasy.
Raw, honest, and packed with practical tools for protecting your peace.
Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome Back to Bernadine Fried
00:25 What Narcissism Actually Is (The Spectrum Explained)
04:00 Malignant Narcissist Traits & Examples
08:15 Vulnerable / Covert Narcissism
12:45 Love Bombing, Gaslighting & Classic Tactics
20:00 Why Empaths Are Often Drawn to Narcissists
24:30 How Narcissists React to Boundaries
28:40 Gray Rock Method & Protecting Your Nervous System
34:00 Narcissistic Parents: Golden Child vs Scapegoat
41:00 Narcissism in Marriage & Romantic Relationships
45:00 Radical Acceptance, Grief & Finding Closure
50:40 Is the Term “Narcissist” Overused?
58:20 Final Thoughts & Would You Rather

If you’ve ever wondered “Is this person a narcissist?” or struggled to set boundaries with difficult personalities, this episode gives you clarity and real tools.
Drop a comment: Have you dealt with narcissistic traits in family or relationships? What helped you?
Subscribe for more boundary conversations, follow us on Instagram @boundariesandbanter.
#Narcissism #Gaslighting #NarcissisticAbuse #Boundaries #ToxicRelationships #LoveBombing #MentalHealthPodcast #GrayRocking #FamilyDynamics

Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️
Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between.

👇 Stay connected with us:
📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter

🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter

▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter

💌 Share your story: [email protected]

#BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #WomensPodcast

Welcome back to Boundaries & Banter — the podcast where sisters-in-law Taryn & Michela get real about family, friendships, relationships, and setting boundaries without the fluff.
In this powerful episode, we sit down with licensed therapist Nicole Nourian (How We Cope) to unpack family estrangement — what it really means, why it's becoming more common in our "blocked and blessed" era, and when it's a healthy choice vs. a reactive one.
Nicole shares clinical insights on patterns of disrespect, unhealed trauma, narcissism vs. workable issues like BPD, low contact vs. no contact, holidays, grandchildren/grandparent access, temporary breaks, and what happens if someone gets sick. We also talk about creating chosen family, the privilege (not right) of access to kids, and why boundaries aren't selfish — they're essential.
If you've ever questioned cutting ties, felt guilty about distance, or wondered if reconciliation is possible, this episode is for you. Raw, honest, and full of compassion.

00:00 Welcome & Intro to Nicole Nourian
01:20 What Estrangement Actually Means (Beyond Google Definitions)
04:00 Blocked & Blessed Era: Therapy Culture vs. Real Patterns
08:30 Obvious vs. Subtle Reasons for Estrangement (Manipulation, Disrespect, etc.)
12:45 When Boundaries Aren't Respected — Pattern Recognition
18:20 Low Contact vs. No Contact: Which Is Better?
24:10 The Buddhist Teaching on Harmful Relationships
30:00 Holidays, Nostalgia, & Creating Your Own Traditions
35:40 Grandkids & Grandparents: Privilege, Not Obligation
41:30 Disrespect in Front of Kids — Safety First
45:00 Can No Contact Be Temporary? Reconciliation Possibilities
48:30 Narcissism, BPD, & Change Realities
52:00 What If They Get Sick? Regret, Safety, & Terminal Illness
56:00 Final Thoughts & Creating Chosen Family

Subscribe for more boundary conversations, follow us on Instagram @boundariesandbanter, and drop a comment: Have you experienced estrangement? What helped you decide?

#FamilyEstrangement #NoContact #Boundaries #FamilyDynamics #MentalHealth #TherapyTalk #ChosenFamily #LowContact

Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️
Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between.

👇 Stay connected with us:
📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter

🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter

▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter

💌 Share your story: [email protected]

#BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #WomensPodcast

Celebrity stylist secrets, red carpet fashion, and the chaos behind celebrity glam — in this episode of Boundaries & Banter, Taryn and Michela sit down with celebrity stylist Alana Van Deraa to talk about what really happens behind the scenes of Hollywood fashion.

We see the glamorous red carpet photos — but the reality behind celebrity styling involves last-minute changes, fashion emergencies, intense schedules, and a lot of problem solving.

Alana shares how she built her career as a celebrity stylist, what styling A-list clients is really like, and what most people completely misunderstand about the fashion and entertainment industries.

In this episode we talk about:

• How Alana became a celebrity stylist
• The chaos behind red carpet moments
• What it’s actually like styling celebrities
• Fashion pressure in Hollywood
• Behind-the-scenes styling stories
• Confidence, image, and personal style
• Breaking into the celebrity fashion world

If you’ve ever wondered how celebrities always look flawless on the red carpet — this conversation reveals what it really takes.

📩 Send us your stories: [email protected]

00:00 Intro: Welcome Alana Van Deraa
00:46 Dreaming of the Red Carpet: Rachel Zoe & Early Inspiration
01:40 The First Major Job: School of Style & Working with Johnny Wujek
03:04 Reality Check: The "Schlepping" & The Mini Cooper Incident
05:28 What Makes a Good Stylist? (Hint: It’s not dressing like yourself)
06:00 The Collaborative Process vs. The "Barbie Doll" Client
07:15 Building a Brand: Styling Pop Stars & New Artists
08:00 Industry Competition & The Rise of the "Instagram Stylist"
10:15 Icons of the Industry: The Stylists Who Dress Hollywood
10:48 Taking the Leap: Going Solo in 2020
12:20 Breakups & New Beginnings: Leaving the Team
14:00 Day in the Life: Sourcing, Returns, & Budgeting
15:45 Red Carpet Secrets: Loans, Customs, & Alterations
17:00 Styling Chrissy Teigen: The COVID Retainer Story
19:15 From Street Style to Major Shoots
21:00 Locking in the "Glam Team" during Lockdown
22:50 Alana’s Favorite Looks: Grammys & Vanity Fair
25:35 Handling Fashion Critics & "Worst Dressed" Lists
27:50 Social Media’s Impact on Fashion Criticism
29:05 Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy: Recreating an Icon's Style
31:40 Investment Pieces: What to Buy on a Budget
34:10 The Accessories Rule: Shoes, Bags, & Prada Nylon
34:45 Finding Your Voice & Protecting the Client
36:00 Gender Dynamics in the Styling World
36:50 Dealing with "Fashion Regret" & Red Carpet Mistakes
38:35 Goal Setting: The Met Gala & Beyond
39:15 Advice for Aspiring Celebrity Stylists
41:15 Traveling to China for 24 Hours
43:00 Would You Rather: Fashion Edition
45:15 Tailoring vs. Trends: The Final Verdict
47:20 Outro: Wrap Up & Final Banter


#CelebrityStylist
#RedCarpetFashion
#HollywoodFashion
#FashionIndustry
#CelebrityFashion
#BoundariesAndBanter
#PodcastInterview
#FashionStyling

Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️
Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between.

👇 Stay connected with us:
📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter

🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter

▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter

💌 Share your story: [email protected]

#BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #WomensPodcast

Welcome back to Boundaries & Banter with your hosts Taryn & Michela.
Today we’re unpacking one tiny word with a massive impact: sorry.

Why is it so hard for people to apologize? What’s the difference between intent vs impact? And how do you know when an apology is real… versus just a way to shut you up?

We break down the different types of “sorry” (including the classics like “I’m sorry you feel that way” and “Sorry, but I didn’t do anything wrong”), why people get defensive, and what a real apology actually requires: accountability, reflection, and changed behavior.

Plus — we read a listener story about a mother-in-law who apologized… and then changed absolutely nothing. If the apology doesn’t come with action, what does it even mean?

📩 Send us your story (anonymous): boundariesandbanteratgmail.com

If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting for an apology — this one’s for you.

00:00:00 Intro: Welcome back
00:00:07 Today’s topic: “Sorry”
00:00:24 The different types of “sorry”
00:00:57 “Sorry, but I didn’t do anything wrong”
00:01:39 Intent vs impact (the real issue)
00:01:50 Why it’s so hard to say sorry (ego)
00:02:35 Accountability doesn’t mean guilt
00:02:51 The Whole Foods example (accidents vs harm)
00:04:00 Why people get defensive when confronted
00:05:08 When apologies don’t come with change
00:06:36 Is saying sorry learned? (kids + development)
00:20:19 Listener story: left out by mother-in-law
00:24:24 Would You Rather: apology vs actions
00:28:24 Closing: evolve, communicate, therapy note

Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️
Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between.

👇 Stay connected with us:
📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter

🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter

▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter

💌 Share your story: [email protected]

#BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #WomensPodcast

Dating apps, ghosting, swipe culture, and modern gender roles are changing how we date — and why so many people feel confused, anxious, and stuck in situationships.

In this episode of Boundaries & Banter, Taryn and Michela unpack what dating apps have actually done to modern dating: the “pen pal” problem, endless options, the ick, mixed signals, and why clarity feels so rare now.

Watch next: If you’ve ever been ghosted, breadcrumbed, or stuck in vague “we should hang soon” energy… this one’s for you.

👇 Drop a comment: Have dating apps helped you or hurt you?
#datingapps #ghosting #datingadvice 

00:00 Welcome to Boundaries & Banter
00:05 Dating apps, swipe culture & getting ghosted
00:39 “When you know, you know” (fast love stories)
02:05 Meeting on Hinge during COVID (Zoom-date era)
03:02 Why the apps feel exhausting (but can work)
04:16 Safety + pre-date calls (screening the vibe)
04:33 Dating with intention vs pen pals (first date pickup story)
05:50 The biggest issues: hookups, superficial swiping & “the ick”
07:23 Would you swipe on your husband? (apps miss real matches)
12:30 Hyper-independence + modern gender roles (dating shift)
20:58 Forcing it vs clarity — and why ghosting isn’t okay
27:14 Would You Rather: lying, ghosting, texting & red flags


Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️
Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between.

👇 Stay connected with us:
📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter

🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter

▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter

💌 Share your story: [email protected]

#BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #WomensPodcast

Friendship breakups can hurt more than romantic breakups—and no one talks about it. In this episode of Boundaries & Banter, we unpack why losing a friend cuts so deep, how friendship breakups actually happen, and how to know when it’s time to walk away.

We talk about:

Why friendship loss feels so destabilizing

The different ways friendships end (slow fade vs betrayal)

When a “half-apology” isn’t enough

Why boundaries matter even in long friendships

How to grieve a friendship without villainizing yourself

The moment you realize it’s time to say goodbye

If you’ve ever felt heartbroken over a friend—and wondered why it hurt this much—you’re not alone.

📩 Share your story (always anonymous): [email protected]


00:00 – Why friendship breakups hurt so much
01:05 – Why we don’t talk about losing friends
02:20 – Friendship vs romantic breakups: what’s different
04:15 – The slow fade vs sudden betrayal
06:40 – When apologies don’t come with change
09:10 – Boundaries in friendships (yes, they matter)
12:30 – When staying hurts more than leaving
16:05 – Grieving a friendship without blaming yourself
19:40 – “Sayonara, Sally”: knowing when it’s time
22:30 – Final thoughts: choosing peace over history


#friendshipbreakup
#friendshiploss
#toxicfriendships
#boundaries
#healing
#relationships
#emotionalhealth
#mentalhealthpodcast
#boundariesandbanter

Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️
Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between.

👇 Stay connected with us:
📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter

🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter

▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter

💌 Share your story: [email protected]

#BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #WomensPodcast

What is a boundary—and why do family members so often cross it? In this episode of Boundaries & Banter, we sit down with licensed family therapist Bernadine Fried to break down what boundaries actually are, why they’re essential for mental health, and how family dynamics, in-laws, and culture complicate them.

We talk about physical, emotional, and relational boundaries, why people-pleasing leads to resentment, and how to set limits without guilt or over-explaining. We also react to a real listener story involving a sister-in-law snooping through a phone at family dinner—and exactly how to respond when a boundary is violated.

This episode is for anyone struggling with family boundaries, in-laws, people-pleasing, or feeling like setting limits makes you “the bad guy.”

00:00 – Welcome back + why we’re defining boundaries
00:26 – Meet Bernadine Fried (LMFT)
00:55 – What a boundary is (where I start/you begin)
01:20 – Physical vs emotional vs relational boundaries
02:52 – Why emotional boundaries create resentment
05:20 – Real-life example: midnight work call (no boundary)
06:00 – How to set boundaries without abandoning yourself
08:16 – Setting boundaries after “no boundaries” + pushback
09:08 – You don’t set boundaries alone (bring your partner in)
13:27 – Scripts: “This is what I’m needing right now”
15:23 – Consequences when people keep crossing it
20:03 – Culture + boundaries: when it feels like an attack
22:22 – Story time: sister-in-law snoops phone at Shabbat dinner
23:30 – What to say + do you apologize?
28:11 – Would You Rather (lightning round)
34:58 – Wrap + thank you

If this episode resonates, subscribe for honest conversations about boundaries, relationships, family dynamics, and mental health.

#boundaries
#familyboundaries
#inlaws
#mentalhealth
#peoplepleasing
#relationships
#therapy
#emotionalboundaries
#selfrespect
#healing
#podcast

Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️
Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between.

👇 Stay connected with us:
📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter

🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter

▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter

💌 Share your story: [email protected]

#BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #WomensPodcast

Generational trauma shows up as “normal” family patterns—guilt, fear, silent treatment, people-pleasing—and it quietly shapes your nervous system. In this Boundaries & Banter episode, Taryn & Michela talk about how it’s passed down, how it impacts boundaries, and what it really takes to break the cycle.

We unpack:

What generational trauma is (and what it isn’t)

Survival patterns: guilt, obligation, fear-based parenting, silence

How immigration + safety fears can live in your body decades later

Why breaking patterns often means disappointing someone

The “owing” narrative: why gratitude doesn’t cancel autonomy

No-contact conversations online—and what people miss without context

A listener story: a Persian mom terrified of “losing” her daughter

📩 Send your stories: [email protected]
 (always anonymous)

00:00 – Generational trauma: why this matters
00:27 – Definition: how trauma passes down through patterns
01:25 – Common examples: silence, guilt, fear, obligation
02:18 – Breaking the cycle: can you recognize it?
02:30 – Our South Africa story: living in constant fear
04:31 – Why “panic mode” becomes your default
06:50 – Immigrant trauma: “I can’t fail” mindset
08:49 – Body image + food patterns passed down
11:20 – How it shows up: people-pleasing, apologizing, fear of conflict
13:10 – Why boundaries feel like danger
15:16 – The no-contact debate: what people don’t understand
18:27 – Step one: recognize it. Step two: choose change
19:04 – The hardest part: disappointing someone
22:28 – “Your child doesn’t owe you” (and why that’s healing)
24:33 – Listener story: Persian mom, 28-year-old daughter moving away
26:06 – Our take: let her go, keep her close
30:07 – Would You Rather: honesty vs resentment
31:00 – Would you rather: viral fight vs unresolved pain
31:54 – Wrap

#generationaltrauma
#familypatterns
#healingjourney
#boundaries
#peoplepleasing
#traumarecovery
#familydynamics
#mentalhealth
#immigrantstory

Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️
Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between.

👇 Stay connected with us:
📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter

🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter

▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter

💌 Share your story: [email protected]

#BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #WomensPodcast