The Friend Lab

Liz McKean and Bryce The Third

The Friend Lab is a curious, candid, and sometimes chaotic exploration of what it means to be human together. Hosted by Liz McKean: coach, hypnotist, yoga teacher, and professional untangler of shame, and Bryce The Third: performing artist, recovery advocate, speaker, author, and all-around creative force; this show lives at the intersection of friendship, growth, and real-life transformation. Liz and Bryce come from different worlds, but their chemistry is undeniable. Their creative partnership is rooted in honesty, humor, and a shared obsession with understanding why we connect the way we do. Each episode is a deep dive into the messy, magical terrain of being a person: •friendships that evolve •identities that shift •coping tools that help (and sometimes don’t) •recovery and what it looks like beyond the clichés •personal growth that feels exciting one day and overwhelming the next •the courage it takes to stay authentic, even when it’s uncomfortable They’ll talk about the things people think about but rarely say out loud: the awkwardness, the misunderstandings, the breakthroughs, the belly laughs, the spiritual moments, the self-awareness spirals, and the quiet truths that change us. This is not a show about having it all figured out. It’s a show about experimenting with what it means to belong to yourself and to each other, one honest conversation at a time. Whether you’re navigating recovery, building healthier relationships, reimagining your life, or just craving a podcast that feels like sitting on the couch with two friends who are delighted to be spending time with you, welcome to The Friend Lab.

  1. 4D AGO

    The challenges of JOY as an adult...What if instead of preparing for the worst, we imagined the best?

    Text us to be featured on the show! The bad news is, Fruity Pebbles are just colorful rice bits now, and pizza rolls have lost their spark. The good news is, we think we can we retrain our adult brains to center joy, to be in the moment with grace & compassion, and to live more like we did as kids, while we're still here. We chat about reasons joy can feel harder to find as an adult: is it western/achievement cultureis it our "life is supposed to be this way" mindset?maybe using our imagination to prepare for the worst?because we hold too tightly to the things and people we love, ruining the experience?or is it because we all heard about how hard life will be when we were kids?Whatever it is, we're ready to embrace our inner Mr. Rogers, to use our imaginations to center the good stuff, and we hope you will too. (And if this feels impossible so you are interested in diving deeper into a hypnosis convo with Liz, use the links below!) Follow The Friend Lab on Instagram About Liz McKean: Liz is a hypnotherapist, yoga teacher, and creator of spaces where people can unshame their coping tools and finally feel better. About Bryce The Third: When it comes to the most authentic and impactful voices rising out of Detroit, Michigan, Bryce The Third is a name you can’t afford to leave out. Not just an artist, he’s an emotional engineer with a live show that a mix of performance art, storytelling, high level lyricism and community building. Not only does Bryce have a story to tell, when you witness it, you’ll wanna tell yours  Join The FriendLab Community! → https://substack.com/@friendlabpodcast Call into the show to be featured → https://www.speakpipe.com/TheFriendLabPodcast More about Liz → lizmckean.com Follow Liz on Instagram → @liz.mckean More about Bryce → BryceTheThird.com Follow Bryce on Instagram → @brycethethird

    39 min
  2. MAR 31

    Liz's Internet Hater, Exploring Intellectual Partnerships, and How We Give and Receive Love in Adult Friendships

    Text us to be featured on the show! Friend Lab fam, did you catch us live on Substack? It won't be the last time so subscribe over there if you haven't yet- we can't wait to connect! On today's episode, we talk about intellectual partnerships, what supportive love for friends looks and feels like, and what it means to be experimenting & growing in our relationships. We also discuss some really ANGRY internet trolls that popped up recently, and how Bryce showed up for Liz in a way that was both protective and empowering.  We go into details on all of these topics, including some conversation about what it looks like to be a man who shows up for women, and being a woman who can feel safe advocating for herself in the world. As always, every bit has a thru-line of deep love and respect for one another (despite a major disagreement about pickle kombucha). See you in the lab! Follow The Friend Lab on Instagram About Liz McKean: Liz is a hypnotherapist, yoga teacher, and creator of spaces where people can unshame their coping tools and finally feel better. About Bryce The Third: When it comes to the most authentic and impactful voices rising out of Detroit, Michigan, Bryce The Third is a name you can’t afford to leave out. Not just an artist, he’s an emotional engineer with a live show that a mix of performance art, storytelling, high level lyricism and community building. Not only does Bryce have a story to tell, when you witness it, you’ll wanna tell yours  Join The FriendLab Community! → https://substack.com/@friendlabpodcast Call into the show to be featured → https://www.speakpipe.com/TheFriendLabPodcast More about Liz → lizmckean.com Follow Liz on Instagram → @liz.mckean More about Bryce → BryceTheThird.com Follow Bryce on Instagram → @brycethethird

    41 min
  3. MAR 17

    Talking (literal) Shit With Friends, Gratitude Walks, and Marching Forth

    Text us to be featured on the show! Friends don't make friends feel bad about tummy trouble. In this episode, we relive some IBS childhood trauma and find a way to make it about friendship! We also celebrate March 4th, a.k.a. "March Forth!," we're talking gratitude, spiritual practices, and how both of those evolve over time.  (Shout out to Stinky Jeff, who inspired the masses by doing his thing, and didn't care.) Shop AG1 drinks for regular poops!  https://shop.drinkag1.com/BRYCETHETHIRD We love ya! -Liz & Bryce Follow The Friend Lab on Instagram About Liz McKean: Liz is a hypnotherapist, yoga teacher, and creator of spaces where people can unshame their coping tools and finally feel better. About Bryce The Third: When it comes to the most authentic and impactful voices rising out of Detroit, Michigan, Bryce The Third is a name you can’t afford to leave out. Not just an artist, he’s an emotional engineer with a live show that a mix of performance art, storytelling, high level lyricism and community building. Not only does Bryce have a story to tell, when you witness it, you’ll wanna tell yours  Join The FriendLab Community! → https://substack.com/@friendlabpodcast Call into the show to be featured → https://www.speakpipe.com/TheFriendLabPodcast More about Liz → lizmckean.com Follow Liz on Instagram → @liz.mckean More about Bryce → BryceTheThird.com Follow Bryce on Instagram → @brycethethird

    43 min
  4. MAR 10

    How do you know someone's heart? Bryce's 3-step system (that Liz disagrees with)

    Text us to be featured on the show! As they all are, this episode is my fave. Bryce and I are friends on and off this show, so we talk often. And amidst all that talking, we disagree sometimes. And by sometimes, I mean a LOT. We actually disagree at the very start of this conversation! (and I'm writing the description this week so I get to say that I'm right. This is Liz btw)  We talk about the difference between truth, fact, and belief, and how that impacts relationships. Also, Bryce is pretty sure he's a warlock. He might be right!  In all seriousness, this episode is a cool example of how friends can disagree with a lot of love, so if you can't even imagine disagreement existing without conflict- this one is for you.  We love ya, and we mean it. (THAT we definitely agree on) xoxo Liz Follow The Friend Lab on Instagram About Liz McKean: Liz is a hypnotherapist, yoga teacher, and creator of spaces where people can unshame their coping tools and finally feel better. About Bryce The Third: When it comes to the most authentic and impactful voices rising out of Detroit, Michigan, Bryce The Third is a name you can’t afford to leave out. Not just an artist, he’s an emotional engineer with a live show that a mix of performance art, storytelling, high level lyricism and community building. Not only does Bryce have a story to tell, when you witness it, you’ll wanna tell yours  Join The FriendLab Community! → https://substack.com/@friendlabpodcast Call into the show to be featured → https://www.speakpipe.com/TheFriendLabPodcast More about Liz → lizmckean.com Follow Liz on Instagram → @liz.mckean More about Bryce → BryceTheThird.com Follow Bryce on Instagram → @brycethethird

    40 min
  5. MAR 3

    Best Friends are weird, Liz's Starfish Story, and Bryce's comment section

    Text us to be featured on the show! This is a special one. To start, I tell not only THE Starfish Story, but the story behind my connection to the story, and why I believe we are all starfish in this sea of humanity. We all need love and connection- and each other. Did you know I used to be a nurse? And did you know it's uncool to say "homie-g?" Some things I have to learn along with you.  I love this episode, and not just because Bryce calls me a best friend. I'm still smiling about that... but I promised I wouldn't make it weird so just take a listen.  We love ya, Liz P.S. Be sure you've subscribed on Substack, we'll be announcing some go-lives and other ways to connect in the next couple weeks! Follow The Friend Lab on Instagram About Liz McKean: Liz is a hypnotherapist, yoga teacher, and creator of spaces where people can unshame their coping tools and finally feel better. About Bryce The Third: When it comes to the most authentic and impactful voices rising out of Detroit, Michigan, Bryce The Third is a name you can’t afford to leave out. Not just an artist, he’s an emotional engineer with a live show that a mix of performance art, storytelling, high level lyricism and community building. Not only does Bryce have a story to tell, when you witness it, you’ll wanna tell yours  Join The FriendLab Community! → https://substack.com/@friendlabpodcast Call into the show to be featured → https://www.speakpipe.com/TheFriendLabPodcast More about Liz → lizmckean.com Follow Liz on Instagram → @liz.mckean More about Bryce → BryceTheThird.com Follow Bryce on Instagram → @brycethethird

    38 min

About

The Friend Lab is a curious, candid, and sometimes chaotic exploration of what it means to be human together. Hosted by Liz McKean: coach, hypnotist, yoga teacher, and professional untangler of shame, and Bryce The Third: performing artist, recovery advocate, speaker, author, and all-around creative force; this show lives at the intersection of friendship, growth, and real-life transformation. Liz and Bryce come from different worlds, but their chemistry is undeniable. Their creative partnership is rooted in honesty, humor, and a shared obsession with understanding why we connect the way we do. Each episode is a deep dive into the messy, magical terrain of being a person: •friendships that evolve •identities that shift •coping tools that help (and sometimes don’t) •recovery and what it looks like beyond the clichés •personal growth that feels exciting one day and overwhelming the next •the courage it takes to stay authentic, even when it’s uncomfortable They’ll talk about the things people think about but rarely say out loud: the awkwardness, the misunderstandings, the breakthroughs, the belly laughs, the spiritual moments, the self-awareness spirals, and the quiet truths that change us. This is not a show about having it all figured out. It’s a show about experimenting with what it means to belong to yourself and to each other, one honest conversation at a time. Whether you’re navigating recovery, building healthier relationships, reimagining your life, or just craving a podcast that feels like sitting on the couch with two friends who are delighted to be spending time with you, welcome to The Friend Lab.