Unboxing It with Lara and Rowan

For the month of June, we are bringing back some of our earlier episodes. These are episodes that we either wish had gotten a few more listens, or that were popular and we want to make sure new listeners have a chance to hear them. We will be back to our regular podcast recording schedule this summer! As Rowan and Lara know all too well, life isn’t always fair. We wish it was, but since it isn’t,...

How many times have you had this exchange? ”Hi, how are you today?” “Good. How are you?” “I’m well, thank you.” We do this largely inauthentic dance every time we’re out in the world. We ask how someone is doing. They’re supposed to answer that they’re good. They ask that question back and our answer is expected to be the same. We don’t generally deviate from the script or things can get awkward....

There is a fine line between “I can’t change” and “I don’t want to change”. We talk about that difference, and the times when it might be worth exploring whether or not change is something you actually want to make. If it is, what mindset shifts can you make to create it? Transcript (please note, these are not edited for accuracy so might be wonky) Rowan: I personally believe the entire reason I’m...

Rowan here, and I have a confession: I love Coldplay. In fact, they’re my favourite band. How do you feel about that? The reaction I get when I tell people varies, but I’m often met with negativity. “I can’t stand their music.” “They’re so overplayed.” “There are tons of indie bands that are way better, you know.” I’m one of those people who likes something popular that is often ridiculed by other...

The first Heated Rivalry Episode became our most downloaded podcast episode ever - and we know we left you hanging when we only got through 3 of Lara’s 8 topics in the first episode (she had so many notes !) Lace up those skates, because we’re back for a second episode on this megahit of a show. Today we dig into themes like consent, bi representation, and parasocial relationships. Have any other...

If you’ve read a lot of social media bios, you’re probably aware of how many labels we use to describe ourselves: “Ashley R. Millennial. Mom. Texan. Democrat. Introvert. Nurse. Crafter. Chronically ill.” Humans like to place everything in neat little boxes, and we often use labels to do so. It helps our brains sort out what is like us and what is different from us. It allows us to form bonds over...

Heated Rivalry is a show that has taken over the world since it came out in November. This show, which was only planned as a Canadian release, took off in a way nobody could have imagined, and has many people (including Lara) fixated - some might even say obsessed. In this episode, we dig into some of the topics in the show that we think make the show compelling, but also that we think are really...

If you’ve ever heard someone complain about how lazy this generation is, lament about how there’s no work ethic anymore, or question why people work hard enough to create the life they want, then you will relate hard to this week’s episode. It’s time for us to tackle the myth that hard work always equals success; not that putting in effort is a bad thing, but that much more can be required to make...

Times are tough and things can feel really bleak. In this episode we dig into how we’re feeling and how we can move forward and look for joy, even when we know so much bad is happening. And some bonus joy - Rowan’s coffee shop is officially open! If you’re in the Toronto area, make sure to check it out. They’re at 505 Church Street. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Dp3tDHYmk/ Links Rowan’s new co...

Once upon a time, the internet seemed like it might finally do what nothing else in human history had been able to achieve: create a level playing field for all of humanity. With countless voices sharing ideas, social media, in particular, had the potential to elevate us all to a better, more connected human experience. But today, we get spammed by bots, mocked by trolls, and spend hours doomscrol...

It’s a new year, and we’re kicking it off by digging in a bit further to who we are. And we both learned some new things about each other in the process! We talked about our newest projects - Rowan’s cafe opens soon, and Lara’s mail club has launched! We talked about regrets, hope, taking risks, and even stand-up comedy. Want to know anything more about us? Comment and we’ll use some of those ques...

What a year. The above was written without an exclamation mark on purpose because that year was 2025. There was a lot of change in the world— much of it, um, not so good —and I think it’s safe to say a lot of us are looking forward to these 365 days being in the rearview mirror. But also, this was the year we launched Unboxing It ! And that deserves at least two sentences with exclamations! This l...

Hey everyone, Lara here! As someone who is not trans, I know the feeling of wanting to understand more about the trans experience, but also knowing it can be hard to know where to start, or even what questions to ask! Not to mention, the messages we’re getting online and in the news are loud, scary, and full of untruths. We were thrilled to have Erica Vogel join us on the show this week to discuss...

Stop me if you’ve heard this one. Your friend arrives home from work and enters a clean, organized house. She takes out fresh ingredients from the fridge and begins to prepare a homecooked meal. She then takes a picture of the finished creation in her still-tidy and organized kitchen to post on Instagram. You see it as you’re doom scrolling on the couch after work, waiting for pizza to arrive, and...

Oh, do we have a big feelings about this week’s topic. In 2024, Cambridge Dictionary named “manifest” their Word of the Year , and with good reason. The idea of manifesting your dream life has risen from an obscure idea to a cultural movement, taking over board rooms and living rooms alike. But is it a useful tool, or are we being sold snake oil? Manifestation isn’t a new concept. Its roots are fi...

“Don’t share how much credit card debt you have.” “Never tell anyone how much you make.” “Don’t tell a soul what you paid for that.” “Never discuss how much you charge per hour.” Most of us were taught never to discuss money in polite company. It’s considered braggy to tell others about our financial successes and a failure to admit how much debt we carry. Lost you job? Don’t tell anyone if you wa...

“Politics and religion: the two things we don’t discuss in polite society.” If you’re like us, this has been drilled into your head for a lifetime. And as many family members and friends begin to gather for the holidays, a large number will purposely avoid discussing either of these hot button topics for fear of starting conflict. Who wants an argument with Uncle Rick? It’s best to just stick to s...

Inside of us there are two wolves: One of them is trying to dominate the entire pack and the other stopped howling because they think they’re being too loud. Society loves to keep us in check with the idea that we’re either “too much” of a good thing or not enough of it. We’re too fat or too thin. Too loud or too quiet. Refusing to age gracefully or running from our inevitable demise by using Boto...

Let us be clear: We love boundaries . Used when needed, they’re a healthy part of living a good life. But, as with all good things, the pendulum might have swung too far in that direction. A recent article that caught Rowan’s eye in Stylist magazine begs the question: Can setting too many boundaries make us lonelier? And if so, where’s the healthy medium? On today’s episode of Unboxing It, Lara an...

For some of us, getting older follows a specific pattern that includes marriage, children, career advancement, and retirement. But what if some or all of those things don’t happen? What does aging look like then? This week, Lara and Rowan sit down with Julie Broczkowski, a psychotherapist who, in many respects, has defied the standard approach to getting older. After listening to some of our previ...

Rowan here. I just had top surgery five days ago, so this will be a short post. But it felt like the right time to discuss bravery last week before I underwent this life-changing, gender affirming surgery. (It’s effectively a double mastectomy, which is nothing to scoff at.) Even big surgeries aside, as a trans person, I get called “brave” almost daily. But is it really brave to just, well, exist...

“I just look at a heavy box and my throw my back out for a week” is the common joke among older people. It seems the more the years pile on, the more the pain does. We’re told that aging guarantees discomfort and a loss of mobility. But what if this was, at least, somewhat avoidable? What if chronic pain isn’t something we should assume is inevitable? This week, physiotherapist Marie Shinmoto join...

Remember when you were a kid and you thought people in their 20s were so grown up and put together? And people in their 40s? Positively ancient . Then, you grew up. And now, if you’re like a lot of people, you’re probably wondering when you’re going to feel as adult as you once believed everyone else felt. On this episode of Unboxing It, Lara and Rowan tackle that feeling and dig deep into what it...

A common idea about those who are regularly late to scheduled events of any kind—think appointments, meetings, work shifts, or coffee dates—is that they’re being disrespectful of other people’s time and energy. We have some thoughts on that. I (Lara) am chronically 5-10 minutes late. Rowan is chronically early (Hello, anxiety!). But we both believe the same thing when it comes to lateness: it’s ge...

Content warning : This episode discusses cancer and health anxiety . We know these can be challenging and deeply personal topics for some. Please take care. Rowan here. I wanted to record this episode while I was in the thick of facing one of my biggest fears: that I might have cancer. If you’ve ever had a biopsy, you know that worry. Add in a lifelong struggle with illness anxiety (what used to b...