Before You Cut Bangs

You’ve got boundaries, triggers, and toxic traits—but do you have a therapist? 👀 In this episode, Laura and Claire unpack the rise of therapy-speak and how we’ve turned healing into a hobby and trauma into a TikTok trend. From calling your ex a narcissist (because a girl on Instagram said so) to diagnosing your boss as “emotionally unavailable,” we’re all fluent in self-help now—just not always f...

This season finale takes us on a journey through the hosts' "emotional fanny packs" – what essentials would we all carry if we could magically bring anything to help us navigate life's challenges? Looking back at Season 2's most memorable moments, the hosts celebrate their guest superlatives and reflect on their own vulnerability throughout the season. From Laura's in...

Part two of what happens when persistent pain leads to an unexpected, life-threatening diagnosis? In this riveting conversation, Claire welcomes her childhood friend, Beau, to share the first part of his extraordinary health journey—from mysterious jaw pain to a rare cancer diagnosis that turned his world upside down.

What happens when persistent pain leads to an unexpected, life-threatening diagnosis? In this riveting conversation, Claire welcomes her childhood friend, Beau, to share the first part of his extraordinary health journey—from mysterious jaw pain to a rare cancer diagnosis that turned his world upside down.

What if your so-called midlife crisis is actually a breakthrough in disguise? In this refreshingly honest and often funny episode, Claire reveals that she rarely sees classic midlife meltdowns in her practice—no impulsive sports cars or dramatic divorces. Instead, she sees people wrestling with big life transitions, especially when the kids move out and questions of purpose move in. Rather than ch...

What happens when the sibling you've been talking about on your podcast shows up to defend herself? She doubles down on her baddassery. Laura's sister Dee joins the show to set the record straight about being labeled a "Disney princess" and reveals the truth behind the infamous turtle hiking disaster that nearly ended in tragedy (or at least severe dehydration).

Botox, supplements, cold plunges, IV drips… The internet is screaming a million ways to stay young, but what actually works? We sat down with Dr. Steven Austad—America’s leading aging expert—to separate fact from fantasy. His answer? Unbelievably simple… and honestly refreshing. If you’ve ever chased the fountain of youth, don’t miss this episode. And buckle up to learn the truth from the guy who...

In this inaugural "vindication episode," Laura and Claire are joined by Will's father, veteran radio host Bob Lochamy, to set the record straight on some of the show’s most memorable family stories. With wit and warmth, Bob revisits tales involving a Michael Jackson joke gone wrong, a softball injury mix-up, and even a surprising run-in with Taylor Swift. Along the way, he shares he...

Laura got a frantic call to grab someone’s kids... and couldn’t remember their name. Yep. That actually happened. In this episode, we’re talking about those awkward friendship moments when you realize you’re not on the same page about how close you really are. We’ll refresh you on our now-famous friendship tiers, play a revealing game of “Tier or Near,” and offer tips for recalibrating relationshi...

It's Will this time! He's the one with the issue! Well, it's also Laura and Claire... and probably you.  It turns out passive aggressiveness isn't just about your one snarky friend. That disconnect between what we express and what we communicate lies at the heart of passive-aggressive behavior. 

"Co-parenting has nothing to do with your failed marriage," becomes our central theme as we explore the strategies that help children thrive despite family restructuring. We discuss the surprising value of rigid schedules, the importance of speaking positively about your ex-partner (or saying nothing at all), and why approaching difficult conversations with curiosity rather than accusati...

What if the chaos that keeps finding you isn't random at all? Laura and Claire tackle the uncomfortable question many of us face when drama seems to follow us everywhere: "Is it me or is it them?"

Small talk—love it or hate it, it’s everywhere. We explore why it exists, how it shapes our daily lives, and why some thrive on it while others (Will) cringe. Through engaging stories and psychological insights, we unpack its cultural nuances and hidden impact on relationships. Join us as we reflect on the power of brief exchanges, from awkward encounters to meaningful connections. Subscribe and b...

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 a...

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...

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...

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 th...

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 ga...

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 on...

Have you ever felt like your emotions are a tightly sealed bottle, ready to burst? Laura and Claire kick off this episode by examining the surprising consequences of suppressing your feelings, from irritability to serious issues like addiction. They offer insights into the delicate balance between over-processing emotions and shutting them down entirely, featuring Will's pragmatic approach as...

This is the second installment with Dr. Rachel Fargason, who demystifies ADHD in all its forms—from hyperactive and inattentive subtypes, to the lesser-known sluggish cognitive tempo. We also touch on the long-term safety of these medications and question if it's actually harmful for some people to not take them.