Don't Quote Us with Al and Val

As we get closer to 30, we’re realizing how much hustle culture we’re actively unlearning. In this episode, we talk about letting go of the pressure to always be productive, learning to rest without guilt, and becoming okay with life feeling steady instead of chaotic.

We discuss why staying in doesn’t mean you’re falling behind, how “learning to rot” can actually be a form of self-care, and why growth doesn’t always look like doing more. We also share what it’s like being back in school in our late 20s, navigating comparison, and reminding ourselves that life is not a race.

If you’re in your late 20s and feeling behind, burnt out, or questioning your timeline, this episode is your reminder that slowing down doesn’t mean you’re failing, it means you’re choosing sustainability

A new year, a new era and a lot of honest updates.

In this episode, we're recapping how our New Year's Eves actually went, getting sick at the start of the year, recapping some must-watch tv, new hair and sharing what's changing with our content moving forward. From now being on camera to committing to showing up online in a more real and consistent way.

This is a causal catch-up with real conversations, behind the scenes updates, and a glimpse into what this next chapter looks like for us.

As we close out 2025, we’re getting real about what we’re leaving behind: habits, mindsets, routines, and patterns that no longer fit who we’re becoming. This episode is all about resetting for 2026 with intention, honesty, and a little bit of humor.

We talk about the habits we’re breaking, the goals we’re setting, and the changes we want to make as we step into the new year. Along the way, we reflect on New Year traditions, lessons from the past, and a few random memories that shaped how we’re approaching this next chapter.

If you’re craving a fresh start, rethinking your routines, or entering 2026 with new standards and clearer boundaries, this episode is your reminder that it’s okay to reset and to do it your own way.

This episode starts a little differently.

Before the official conversation begins, we’re rolling the tape with bloopers, hot mics, and snippets from past episodes that didn’t make the cut but felt too good not to share.

Then we settle in and reflect on what it’s really been like creating Don’t Quote Us so far. We talk about our favorite episodes, the ones that challenged us the most, what we’ve learned about vulnerability and consistency, and how this podcast has grown right alongside us.

In this episode:
• A surprise intro with bloopers and throwback clips
• Our favorite and hardest episodes to record
• Lessons we didn’t expect to learn
• Behind-the-scenes moments and honest reflections
• What we’re hoping for as the podcast continues

Press play, trust the intro, and don’t quote us… but this one felt necessary.

Before we officially leave 2025 behind, we had to unpack everything the internet put us through. In this episode, we’re breaking down the pop culture moments and TikTok conversations that had us in a chokehold all year. From Labubus and the Ozempic discourse to celebrity deaths, the Diddy documentary, and that Coldplay kiss cam moment everyone was arguing about. We also get into Taylor Swift’s engagement rumors and Katy Perry going to space (yes… that actually happened). Hot takes, side commentary, and unserious opinions included. Don’t quote us... but 2025 was a lot.

Girl Math, Girl Logic, and… bodily betrayal? In this episode, Al & Val break down the chaotic calculations women make every day, why everything is “basically free,” why our logic always makes sense to us, and why delusion is sometimes necessary. Then we spiral into our most unhinged embarrassing moments, including an elevator shaft incident, an unfortunate shart, and why Ross is now a crime scene. If you need to laugh until you cry, this one’s for you.

Why does modern dating feel so embarrassing? Inspired by the viral Vogue article, Al and Val break down the rise of the "embarrassing boyfriend” trend, how social media shapes relationships, and the debate between hard launching vs. staying private.

If you’ve ever questioned love in the algorithm era, this episode is your deep dive into modern love, identity, and internet-driven relationships (with a few random tangents along the way)

It’s officially been one year since our breakups, and this episode is the deep, honest breakup update we wish we had when we were hurting. We’re talking about healing after heartbreak, rebuilding your life, starting over in your 20s, and the routines and mindset shifts that actually helped us move forward.

Al and Val break down what real emotional healing looks like, how we rebuilt our self-worth and confidence, how to create new routines after a breakup, and why this year became our biggest glow-up era. If you’re going through a breakup, getting over an ex, trying to find yourself again, or learning how to date after heartbreak, this episode will hit exactly where you need it.

We’re sharing the lessons, the setbacks, the breakthroughs, the identity shifts, and the unexpected peace that came with choosing ourselves.
And yes… we also discovered the voice-changer buttons on our podcast equipment. Prepare accordingly

The holidays are here, which means Friendsgiving spreads, family dishes that tell our culture and the annual body image spiral that shows up uninvited.

In this episode, we unpack it all, from a silly Friendsgiving recap to cultural differences in our family food traditions and the very real body image spirals that show up the moment the holiday season begins. If you've ever tried to enjoy a plate while also negotiating with your inner critic... this one's for you. Cozy up, grab a bite, and let's get into the Holiday Plates & Body Image Debates

We used to think intimacy was all about physical touch, but now it's about feeling safe, seen, and emotionally understood. In this episode, we talk about how our love languages have evolved in our late 20's, the five types of intimacy (yes, there's more than just physical), and why closeness looks completely different once you've healed. From craving connection over chemistry to learning that emotional safety is the new sexy, this one's for anyone who has outgrown the old version of love.