Today on the show, Allison and Gaby interview Artificial Intelligence expert Ash Fontana, who explains how our data is being gathered and used, whether or not technology is going to take all of our jobs, and the (scary yet exciting) future and present of AI. We wrap up with a rowdy game of Hypotheticals--even AI can't save you from America's Favorite Game Show! Transcription: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oZgYJSVovc6xSEt_yRE5XYd4g1YpvSVxZLWNV8v6RWs/edit?usp=sharing This has been a Forever ...
Jul 02, 2021•54 min•Ep. 135
First, Allison shares too much with her dermatologist about her boyfriend's beard on her face. The duo then answers a listener's question about lending money to her partner of one month. (YIKES!) And finally, if therapy was as successful as possible, what in your life would be different? Gaby and Allison get VULNERABLE. Transcription: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B_rTXigeApYWW-2WUERAR6-gxqhIlEKK5-uEvR4yvTk/edit?usp=sharing This has been a Forever Dog production Produced by Melisa D. Monts...
Jun 30, 2021•38 min•Ep. 134
In the final part of our Pride Live! show, Gaby and Allison are joined by musician Lucy Dacus to answer a listener's question about the best way to come out to her straight group of friends (and everyone else). Activist and educator Alexis Sanchez then stops by to discuss internalized homophobia/transphobia/biphobia. Alexis and Gaby share their own experiences of accepting themselves and offer advice for others struggling. This episode contains conversations about homophobia and transphobia. Ple...
Jun 25, 2021•43 min•Ep. 133
It's our Pride episode! Hooray! First, a pronoun change for Gaby as an update on their continuing gender journey. Then, we're honored to be joined by the ACLU's Chase Strangio to talk about his work on fighting anti-trans legislation, why these laws have sprung up all over in the last few years, and what we can do to help stop these discriminatory, misinformed, and cruel laws. Gaby then takes over the game show portion of the podcast with THE GAY OFFS! Comedian and icon Kalen Allen goes head to ...
Jun 23, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 132
Gaby starts off the episode by yelling at Allison for taking hot showers. They're then joined by former MTV VJ and all around badass journalist SuChin Pak to talk about her rise in media and how the last 15 months have shifted her view of the world. She discusses anti-Asian hate and her personal reckoning with her own history. It's powerful and intimate and followed by a rousing game of hypotheticals that is neither. This episode contains discussions of anti-Asian racism, sexual harassment, and ...
Jun 18, 2021•59 min•Ep. 131
Gaby opens the episode by sharing highlights from their road trip through the beautiful weirdness of America. Allison and Gaby then answer a listener's question about healing from abrupt heartbreak--something Allison is unfortunately an expert on. And finally: forced adult friendships! Do you have to stay friends with people you no longer relate to or never really liked? Maybe??? Also! June 18 at 11 AM pst is our LIVE Pride show so check @jbupodcast on Instagram for more info on how to watch and...
Jun 16, 2021•46 min•Ep. 130
Jak Levine-Pritzker of Authentically ADHD (@authenticallyadhd) joins Allison and Gaby to discuss all things ADHD. Jak insightfully covers the variety of symptoms people experience, who gets overlooked when it comes to diagnosis, what part shame and rejection play, and how someone with ADHD can reframe their disorder in a capitalist world that’s stacked against them. (Small ask, we know!) Plus, Hypotheticals! Should you break up with your partner just to emotionally listen to Olivia Rodrigo? Yes,...
Jun 11, 2021•53 min•Ep. 129
First, Allison has a hilarious “I love you” mishap with her new beau which leads Into a listener’s question about whether to say it to her girlfriend of two months. (Turns out, they completely disagree on the answer! Shocking!) And finally, a discussion about Naomi Osaka's groundbreaking decision to not speak to the media in order to prioritize her mental health. We love to see it! Trigger warning: Mild references to racism and sexism during Topix. Please take care while listening. Transcription...
Jun 09, 2021•45 min•Ep. 128
First, Gaby wants to be Allison's "momager." Allison is not into it. The duo then talk to Gaby's beloved aunt, writer Michele Dunn Baker, about her husband getting diagnosed with HIV one year into their marriage. Michelle shares their journey since learning the news in 1987 which includes saving his life with alternative medicine and brand new treatments, and how their love continues to thrive despite hardship. If you are a book agent or publisher interested in Michele's book about this experien...
Jun 04, 2021•47 min•Ep. 127
Allison and Gaby are off to a strange start but then again it's Gemini season! Allison and Gaby do their best to tackle a listener's question about whether someone can convert to Judaism even if they don't believe in a traditional, all-powerful god. Gaby then shares their recent adventures in real estate as they attempt to buy a house with their partner! Mortgage before marriage? Why not! This has been a Forever Dog production Produced by Melisa D. Monts Executive produced by Brett Boham, Joe Ci...
Jun 02, 2021•41 min•Ep. 126
In our final episode of MENTAL HEALTH 101, Allison and Gaby are joined by LMFT Whitney Goodman to talk about how you can prioritize your mental health even if you don't have access to therapy. She explains the importance of setting boundaries, how to safely consume mental health content, getting in touch with your values and how to make social media a positive (instead of a negative) in your life. Plus, mindfulness and noticing explained! Turns out, you can check in with yourself TOO much. This ...
May 28, 2021•53 min•Ep. 125
In this episode of MENTAL HEALTH 101, psychologist Dr. Shelly Shelly-Ann Collins Rawle of The Black Girl Doctor joins Allison and Gaby to discuss a surprisingly complicated topic in the mental health field: diagnoses. Do people need them? Are they helpful or harmful? How often do people get misdiagnosed? What role does insurance play? Is it okay to self-diagnose? Turns out, some questions are more easily answered than others! Trigger warning: Discussion of personality disorders, mental health sl...
May 26, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 124
It wouldn't be MENTAL HEALTH 101 without an episode dedicated to sleep! Sleep specialist and clinical psychologist Courtney Banscroft joins us to explain why humans need a certain amount of sleep, the intersection of anxiety and insomnia, helpful tips for sleeping better and how society gets in the way of us all getting the sleep we need. Damn you, Capitalism! Hopefully this episode will put you right to sleep--after you listen to it! Trigger warning: Brief discussions of PTSD nightmares. Transc...
May 21, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 123
Mental Health 101 continues! First generation Cuban-American therapist Melissa Moya-Brinckman joins Gaby and Allison for a conversation on the specific therapy needs of POC, how therapy can be normalized in these communities, how racism contributes to trauma, and how to check your biases when it comes to other cultures and mental health. Plus Three Questions! Trigger warning: This interview includes discussion of racism, xenophobia, and trauma. Please take care while listening. Transcription: ht...
May 19, 2021•49 min•Ep. 122
This episode of MENTAL HEALTH 101 we are exposing an important truth: there is such a thing as bad therapy! But how the heck can you spot it?! Therapists and hosts of the podcast, Very Bad Therapy, Caroline Wiita and Ben Fineman join Gaby and Allison to talk about what constitutes bad therapy, why people don't know what good therapy is and how to bring up problems with your therapist. Plus, should your therapist ever touch you? (Not really!) Does everyone even need therapy? Wow! Feedback! It's a...
May 14, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 121
It's Mental Health 101, baby! And this week we're answering the question on everyone's mind: How the heck do you find the right therapist?! Marriage and Family Therapist Esther Boykin joins us to provide some helpful tips and tricks. We discuss everything from different theoretical orientations to whether or not your therapist should be from the same cultural background as you. She also gives some money saving suggestions before diving into our new segment, Three Questions! Turns out, putting yo...
May 12, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 120
We're back with MENTAL HEALTH 101! This episode we are asking Dr. Pooja Lakshmin all sorts of questions about psychotropic medication! Do you have to be on medication forever? Can you be on medication while pregnant? When is therapy not enough!? We finish up with our new segment: Three Questions! Because even mental health professionals need to attend to their mental health! Tw: This interview contains conversation about suicide, depression, anxiety, hospitalization and sexual side effects among...
May 07, 2021•59 min•Ep. 119
Welcome to our mental health focused mini-season for the month of May! Our inaugural episode focuses on trauma--Big T and little t. Trauma specialist Dr. Shaili Jain joins us to talk about how untreated trauma impacts our daily lives, historical trauma, the most effective treatments and how to live our lives through a trauma informed lens. Plus, a brand new segment. Trigger warning: This interview is about massive traumas including sexual assault/rape, violence, and PTSD. Minor mention of binary...
May 05, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 118
Gaby is battling a migraine but that doesn't stop the duo from having one of their most informative interviews ever! Amethyst Schaber, of the YouTube channel Neurowonderful, joins the pod to talk about all things autism including popular misconceptions, how to be more accommodating, the impact of misleading media portrayals and the harmful effects of ABA therapy on Autistic children.Plus, a world in which the rules always change and seem arbitrary? Amethyst has been preparing for HYPOTHETICALS t...
Apr 30, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 117
Allison and Gaby start off with an age old debate: what is the difference between murder and assassination? They then try to help a listener who can't tell if she is self-sabotaging her relationship OR if her concerns about her boyfriend are valid. And finally, Melisa joins in to discuss the controversy surrounding Covid vaccines and what messaging needs to change to get us all to herd immunity. tw: Intro includes conversation of murder, violence, and assassination Topix includes talk of racism ...
Apr 28, 2021•39 min•Ep. 116
First, Gaby and Allison discuss when it's appropriate to ask marginalized people questions about the correct terminology and how to do that in a thoughtful and appropriate way. Then, they have a delightful conversation with comedian and sex worker Bree Essrig all about making content for OnlyFans and Patreon, getting into kink, foot modeling, and Bree and Gaby's joint experiences in sex work. Plus, Gillian Anderson is dating your partner in a dream. What would you do? tw: all of this interview i...
Apr 23, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 115
Insurance forms! Electricity bills! Plants! Are we adults? Should Gaby and Allison just marry each other at this point? We're on the fence. Then, Gaby and Allison give a listener advice about helping a friend who has severe OCD. And finally, beliefs vs. behaviors. What says more about who you are? tw: suicide 19:05- 00:19:30 suicide 20:29 - 30:00 repeating thoughts re: pedophilia 21:42 - 22:14 brief mentions of "elder abuse, dependent abuse, child abuse," suicide, homocide 33:42 - 34:00 suicide ...
Apr 21, 2021•51 min•Ep. 114
This is one for the books! Allison and Gaby have their handwriting analyzed by graphologist Elaine Charal, which is a 10/10 experience! They then learn all about the theories behind handwriting analysis and how it can help people better understand themselves. And finally, a rousing game of hypotheticals with even more alien talk than normal! Transcription: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zu3sJ67db-vCksg1WYZPXKJ7GGMUTUCqgfStlZpSSfc/edit?usp=sharing This has been a Forever Dog production Produ...
Apr 16, 2021•52 min•Ep. 113
We are loopy in the intro to this one! Gaby and Allison get it together in time to discuss a listener's question about whether or not it's strange she isn't more upset following a breakup. Do you grow more cynical about love as you get older? Is it bad not to be devastatingly heartbroken by a break up? And finally, a listener writes in to call Gaby in about trigger warnings and the duo breaks down the need for them and how they'll be using them in the future. (Content warning: in Topix, we get i...
Apr 14, 2021•48 min•Ep. 112
First, lots of food, acid reflux, and coffee talk--we are a couple of Jews about all. Then, we talk to Megan McNamara (@famtasticfertility) about fertility awareness, natural birth control, being in control of your body, and how to effectively do the Fertility Awareness Method. Plus, charting your cervical mucus and understanding your cervical mucus using cervicalmucus.org. (We love saying cervical mucus!) And lastly, erotic hand-holding and panic at a cruise ship buffet. Transcription: https://...
Apr 09, 2021•56 min•Ep. 111
First, Gaby and Allison talk about vaccines, lip fillers, gender dysphoria and not putting yourself into a box. (Love to ease you in!) They then give a listener advice on being conflict avoidant and what to say when you're being called in or confronted. And lastly, Melisa, Gaby and Allison break down love at first sight and why it makes Gaby so riled up. She really hates it! tw: 1:16 - C word 4:05 to 6:45 - gender dysphoria Transcription: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oy7ONwdFpNsNQcd7L7yAg...
Apr 07, 2021•54 min•Ep. 110
First, a fan makes an incredibly accurate parody video of the Just Between Us podcast that really tickled us. (Go check it out on @serenapalmer_ on Instagram.) PS: Make us more fan art! Then, Tony Verheyen, author of In Our Reach, joins us to talk about mental health at work and employee benefits for your physical, mental, and financial life. Plus, how the heck do you ask for a raise? Lastly, hypotheticals! Tony is very zen about whether or not his mother-in-law is an alien or rude. Very zen. Co...
Apr 02, 2021•48 min•Ep. 109
First, some adorable stories about Allison and Gaby's attention-loving grandmothers and the tributes they deserve. They then offer advice to a listener whose self-identity is tied to her academic achievements. And finally, goals! Melisa joins in for a lively discussion of what all three hope to accomplish some day soon. The list includes paying off debt, buying a bow and arrow and not being so loud. tw: loss of a family member, AIDS, domestic violence, weight, gun mention. Transcription: https:/...
Mar 31, 2021•49 min•Ep. 108
What have you been reading lately? What is time? Weren't we all babies yesterday? The girls are feeling philosophical today! Allison and Gaby are then joined by cookbook author Julia Turshen to talk about the connections between food, mental health, social justice and body image. And finally, hypotheticals! Is that a snake in your toilet?! Maybe! tw: domestic violence, body image/weight Transcription: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RgU_rUppBMDxxpqG36WUsq84KKevNn8YS4V7a_07a5Y/edit?usp=sharin...
Mar 26, 2021•52 min•Ep. 107
Gaby starts the episode by bringing up some nuance they'd previously ignored regarding mental illness and the pandemic, especially when it comes to high school and college students. Allison and Gaby then answer a listener's question about obsessing over a timeline of achievement and feeling like a late bloomer compared to others. And finally: re-entering society and all the anxiety, stress, and excitement that comes with it. (Allison worries about her contamination OCD raging out of control. Whi...
Mar 24, 2021•38 min•Ep. 106
