Are We Doing This?

Discover how simple changes like staying hydrated, reducing screen time, and embracing outdoor activities can transform your well-being. Dive into the struggles of preserving holiday magic for children and the challenge of believing in Santa. Explore insights from the book "How to Break Up With Your Phone" and join a 30-day digital detox, uncovering the freedom of being present. From habit tracking to candid discussions on ADHD and sleep strategies, this conversation is packed with relatable experiences and practical tips.

In this week’s episode of Are We Doing This?, Lauren P kicks things off by recounting how her friend almost drowned in two feet of water in Mexico—because nothing says “vacation” like a near-death experience in ankle-deep waves.Lauren B then shares her recent ADHD diagnosis, connecting the dots on a lifetime of “Wait… is this not how everyone’s brain works?”Separately, the Laurens reflect on their former Texas era, when they felt obligated to keep up with the Joneses—and how moving away cured that instantly. They no longer get their nails done, and honestly? Freedom has never looked so chipped.They also dive into their newest self-help adventure: How to Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price. They’re on Day 2 of the 30-day Phone Breakup, still recovering from Day 1’s assignment to freak yourself out. Spoiler: it worked. They learned exactly how many hours they spend on their phones and how often they’re interrupted per hour… and let’s just say the numbers were not kind.The moral of the episode? If they’d just put their damn phones down, they actually could do all the things they claim they have no time for—cleaning, working out, reading, writing, and maybe even resurrecting their nail care era. But no promises on that last one.A chaotic, relatable, and slightly alarming episode. Enjoy!

In this episode, Lauren and Lauren Parajon catch up on all the big things—like conquering Thanksgiving, surviving the 2,768-step Manitou Incline (aka: the StairMaster from hell), and planning a handmade Christmas because apparently nothing says “festive” like stabbing fabric thousands of times with a tiny needle.Lauren Butler shares how she’s rediscovering her crafty side through hand embroidery, all while navigating the rollercoaster of parenting older kids—complete with new boundary-setting adventures and the realization that big kids can outsmart you.The Laurens also dive into their complicated relationships… with their phones. They talk about what it might look like to officially “break up” with their devices, how screen time hijacks real-life moments, and why a digital detox might actually save their sanity. Toss in some tips for cutting back on scrolling, a rant or two about social media brain fog, and a group challenge to put the phones down before they fuse to our hands.And because we’re grown-ups now, they even squeeze in some chat about sleep, health, and doing small things to prevent future problems—like dementia, burnout, or turning into those people who insist they don’t need rest. It’s an episode full of laughs, honesty, and the shared goal of being a little healthier (and slightly less glued to our screens).Helpful Links:How to Break Up with Your Phone (book)https://a.co/d/0wqlNXTDementia Prevention (book)https://a.co/d/50F7LWo

Lauren and Lauren reflect on how much the podcast—and their lives—have evolved. Turning 40 has brought new perspectives, new hobbies, and a whole lot of self-discovery. From handmade holiday gifts to ADHD, perimenopause, and the rollercoaster of mental health, they open up about what it means to really understand yourself in midlife. They also talk writing as therapy, reality TV as research (hi, Love Is Blind), and why embracing change might just be the best gift of all.

Sleep-deprived and slightly unhinged, Lauren P kicks things off by confessing that life without her sleep meds has turned her into a nocturnal raccoon. Meanwhile, Lauren B channels her inner activist at the No Kings rally and comes back feeling empowered. Then it’s time for this week’s obsessions: Lauren P is deep in the Plated Prisoner series (a spicy romantasy involving King Midas, which isn't as weird as it sounds), Lauren B is reading Culpability and questioning whether AI is about to take her job and her soul, and both Laurens dive into their latest TV addictions—Love Is Blind (Lauren P’s Halloween costume inspo) and Chad Powers (Lauren B’s newest crush). Lauren P also introduces Lauren B to the strange, seductive world of “MaskTok,” proving once again that her algorithm is chaos incarnate.

Watch is episode on ⁠YouTube⁠!Lauren and Lauren are officially 40! In this episode, they look back on their birthday celebrations and what it really feels like to enter a new decade. Lauren P. shares stories from her throwback slumber party—complete with games, laughter, and heartfelt moments—while Lauren B. recounts the surprise of a lifetime: a Life of a Showgirl–themed celebration, a spa day, and three of her best friends flying in from Texas and Colorado to join the fun.Together, they unpack what turning 40 really means—saying goodbye to old habits from their 30s, rethinking social media, and finding balance between parenting, self-care, and personal growth. It’s a warm, funny, and honest reflection on friendship, change, and celebrating life—messy parts and all.Follow us:⁠Instagram⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠YouTube⁠

This week, the Laurens sit down with Niki Froman, licensed clinical social worker and owner of Inner Shell Therapy in Fort Collins. What starts as an interview quickly turns into a mini therapy session—covering everything from what it’s really like to work in the mental health field, to the mental toll of perimenopause, to the connections between sleep, trauma, and ADHD. Lauren B gets personal as she asks Niki about her own interest in making a career change into mental health, while Lauren P digs into the challenges women face during hormonal transitions. Honest, supportive, and packed with wisdom, this conversation feels like a warm hug and a wake-up call at the same time. Every woman will walk away with something valuable from this episode.Follow Niki on social media:Instagram @innershelltherapyllcFB: facebook.com/innershelltherapyinnershelltherapy.comKeywords: mental health, career transitions, women's health, perimenopause, self-care, therapy, neuroscience, hormonal changes, collaborative care, emotional well-being, ADHD, perimenopause, mental health, sleep, community support, women, therapy, career in mental health, coping mechanisms, emotional well-beingTakeawaysMental health is crucial during career transitions.Identifying your passion can guide your career path.Personal experiences shape professional insights in mental health.Hormonal changes significantly impact mental health.Self-care and boundaries are essential for mental health professionals.Collaborative care models enhance patient support.Understanding hormonal shifts can aid in managing mental health.Therapy is becoming more normalized, but stigma remains.Experience-based learning is vital in becoming a therapist.Practical strategies can help manage mental health effectively. ADHD symptoms can overlap with perimenopause symptoms.Finding a good provider is crucial for mental health.Sleep patterns significantly affect mental health.Community support is essential for women during transitions.Therapy can provide validation for emotional experiences.Sleep training techniques can be applied to adults.Mental health careers require strong boundaries.Peer support roles can provide valuable experience.Therapists often face emotional challenges in their work.Understanding trauma can redefine personal experiences. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Mental Health and Career Paths06:26 Niki's Journey into Social Work13:00 Exploring Career Changes in Mental Health15:29 The Importance of Personal Experience in Therapy19:51 Breaking Stigmas Around Therapy22:27 Collaborative Care Models in Mental Health25:41 The Importance of Collaborative Care29:00 Navigating Women's Health Transitions30:22 Understanding Hormonal Changes and Mental Health33:53 The Impact of Neurotransmitters on Well-being38:11 Exploring ADHD and Perimenopause Connections42:45 Navigating Women's Health Challenges45:59 Understanding Emotional Responses and Trauma49:55 The Impact of Sleep on Mental Health53:05 The Importance of Community and Support57:05 Lessons in Therapy and Boundaries58:34 The Challenges of Being a Therapist59:54 Navigating Clinical Responsibilities and Safety01:01:07 Exploring Career Paths in Mental Health01:03:30 Volunteering and Gaining Experience in Mental Health01:06:04 Understanding the Role of Peer Support01:06:59 The Importance of Practical Experience in Training01:13:27 Future Topics and Closing Thoughts

ARE we okay? Honestly, back-to-school season has us feeling a little unhinged—and that’s before you add freelancing, imposter syndrome, and planning milestone birthdays into the mix. This week, we talk about the anxiety of starting something new (hello, freelance life), the surprise of realizing when romance writing gets too personal, and why we’re done being embarrassed about throwing ourselves 40th birthday parties.We also dive into parenting chaos, celebrate tiny wins, and process our shocked-to-our-core reactions to Netflix’s Unknown Number. Basically, it’s a little therapy session, a little business pep talk, and a lot of “Are we Okay?” energy.Check out our new baker friend at KupcakeKonnoisseur.com ! Follow us:⁠Instagram⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠YouTube⁠

This week’s episode took an unexpected turn when Lauren B got a FaceTime call mid-recording from our friend Ashley—who came bearing the BREAKING NEWS that Taylor Swift is engaged! Naturally, Ashley hopped on the pod and she and Lauren B went full fangirl mode (yes, there were tears).Once we finally recovered from the Swiftie meltdown, we dove into our current obsessions:Lauren B is all about Taylor’s new album (and now upcoming nuptials), the hilarious We Do Not Care Club trend, and Tyler Childers’ hauntingly good track The Bitin’ List.Lauren P couldn’t stop raving about the Magic Mike movies as the ultimate girls’ night pick, plus her love for the twisty novel The Compound (fueled by her reality TV obsession).And both Laurens shared their hype for the epic K-pop demon hunters movie that totally stole their hearts.It’s equal parts fangirl frenzy, fun recs, and genuine laughter—aka classic “Are We Obsessed?”Helpful links:Taylor Swift's Breaking News!https://www.instagram.com/p/DN02niAXMM-/?img_index=1Magic Mike Dance Scenes you Don' want to Miss:https://youtu.be/9FoM9JHXCWQ?si=VrDe1cj9x2tgBNTnhttps://youtu.be/TCdwW9zE2Mc?si=-mb1z2vThjc_tFpuhttps://youtu.be/dr6i4em2YQ4?si=tn-psuGRCtW9dMKAMelani Sanders of the "We Do Not Care Club"https://www.instagram.com/justbeingmelaniAshley Judd Video - We Do Not Care Clubhttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DMavbVes_F0/?igsh=bzVwY245bGIwNDN1LP's Book Rec - The Compoundhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218460337-the-compoundTyler Childers Bitin' List Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydoSpHB7KiE

You can watch this episode on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠!We made it—25 episodes! In this one, we look back at how far we’ve come and spill about what’s next. Think: summer chaos, the sudden shift to fall routine, family-life juggling acts, and our very important reactions on Taylor Swift’s new album announcement. We get honest about career curveballs, wrestling with imposter syndrome, and finding community in unexpected places. Plus, one of us shares the latest twists and turns in her short story draft (character teasers, plot challenges, spicy scene details and all). It’s part reflection, part pep talk, and very much us—figuring it out as we go. Join us! Follow us:⁠Instagram⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠TikTok⁠