Before You Cut Bangs

Laura Quick and Claire Fierman
  • 5.0 (68)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Biweekly

Hosted by Laura Quick and Claire Fierman, “Before You Cut Bangs” is full of hilarious conversations about real life, common and uncommon crises, and possible cosmetic errors that come along with it. Through storytelling and therapeutic wisdom, Claire and Laura share how to NOT f**k up your hair (and life) while walking through similar situations,Produced by Will Lochamy

  1. 1d ago

    3.17 YOU ARE CREATIVE- Porch Talk is back w/ Morgan Jones Johnston

    We’re back on the porch with Morgan Jones Johnston of Rugged and Fancy, and this episode might completely change the way you think about creativity.  She believes creativity is not reserved for artists. It’s in how you solve problems, process emotions, decorate a room, notice color, parent your kids, or reinvent your life when the version you’ve been living no longer fits. Morgan shares what it looked like to move through major life pivots and the pressure of figuring yourself out again in your late 30s. Instead of chasing a perfect straight-line version of success, she talks about learning to trust evolution, aligned action, and the tiny “two-degree shifts” that slowly change everything. On the porch, we talked about: – why creativity belongs to everyone – what happens when life forces a reinvention – the pressure to have a “plan” for your life – human design and understanding your energy – nervous system regulation and anxiety – why small daily actions matter more than giant overhauls – practical ways to reconnect with yourself creatively – and how putting your phone down might actually help you hear yourself think again It’s the kind of conversation that makes you feel less stuck and more human. Morgan brings both honesty and practicality to the idea that maybe you’re not failing… maybe you’re evolving. And honestly? We all needed this one. If you’ve been craving clarity, self-expression, or permission to pivot a little, this episode is for you. Send it to a friend who’s figuring things out too, and if you wanna come hang out on the porch and share your story, MESSAGE US!

    26 min

  2. May 15

    3.16 Why are you so mean to yourself!?

    What you say to yourself — even as a joke, even about your younger self — shapes the internal environment you actually live in. This week, Laura is deep in writing her first book, which means facing childhood trauma, her chaotic twenties, and all the sharp judgment that comes with it. Claire, speaking as a therapist (but not your therapist), explains why self-criticism rarely drives lasting change, how shame bleeds into the present, and why grace has to be all-or-nothing: if you can't extend it to your past self, your current self pays the price. The good news? This is a skill, not just a vibe. We break down practical cognitive reframing tools — neutral language that interrupts the spiral and rewires mental habits through neuroplasticity — and talk about why comparing your insides to someone else's dysfunction is a trap. If negative self-talk has quietly become your default, we also give you the simplest next step: tell a top-tier friend and get real support.

    26 min

  3. May 1

    3.15 Porch Talk, Episode One: Olivia Stuart, founder of The Optimist Pilates, Birmingham AL

    We’re kicking off Porch Talk with Olivia, founder of The Optimist Pilates. SPOILER: Claire invited Laura and she didn’t go. But Claire is a Pilates Believer.  Before building one of Birmingham’s most loved boutique Pilates studios, Olivia was a professional ballet dancer with the Nashville Ballet—a career that shaped her discipline, her identity, and ultimately, her pivot. After an injury changed everything, Pilates became more than recovery. It became a reset. On the porch, we talked about: – what she believes about mirrors in gyms and why  – why Pilates is about so much more than your body – what confidence actually looks like in real life – balancing business, life, and kids  – how she handles hard days (and keeps showing up anyway) – and yes… what to do when you get a bad Google review It’s the kind of conversation that makes you rethink what strength really looks like—physically, mentally, and emotionally, and laugh about the things we hope our kids don’t find out about us. And Olivia is a listener!  If you’re curious about Pilates or you're Pilates Obsessed, this one is for you. But also, if you’re a woman who loves hearing another woman talk about real life without some shiny, perfect facade, you’ll love Olivia! If you wanna hang out on the porch and share some of your story, MESSAGE US!

    19 min

  4. Apr 17

    3.14 Dating in your 40’s (Laura is dating a therapist😬)

    One unexpected moment can rewrite everything: a hike, an honest call to a best friend, and a crush you didn’t plan on. This episode dives into dating after divorce without sugarcoating it or letting shame take the wheel. Laura Quick is pulling back the curtain on all of that.  Laura shares how a spontaneous “thirst trap” moment turned into 7.77 miles of real conversation, while Claire balances the roles of best friend and clinician as they unpack what it actually feels like to open yourself back up. If you’re rebuilding after any kind of loss, this conversation is a reminder that you’re allowed to move forward before everything feels figured out.

    24 min

  5. Apr 3

    3.13 Trying Something New (Without Becoming a Vision Board Influencer)

    The fastest way to kill a dream is to keep it private. How about trying something new as an adult?  Laura shares what it’s like to finally write the book she’s talked about for years, and Claire breaks down the psychology of fear, embarrassment, and that sneaky belief that you should already be good at something before you start. If you’re sitting on a dream, a business idea, a Substack, a new sport, or a small creative habit, we end with a practical challenge: say it out loud to a trusted person and take one step. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a push, and leave a review so more people can find us.

    31 min

  6. Mar 20

    3.12 The Irish Goodbye To Bad Friends

    The fastest way to rethink your friendships is to stop measuring them by how close you are and start measuring them by how safe they are. In this episode, we go deeper into how to spot the difference between healthy and unhealthy friendships—especially as you grow, heal, or enter a new season. We define what “healthy” actually looks like: consistent reciprocity, real curiosity, and trust that holds even when you don’t talk for a while. We also explore how friendships with different kinds of people can push your growth, and how long-term relationships can evolve without blowing up. Then we call out the red flags: one-sided venting, constant reassurance, transactional dynamics, and that quiet dread when their name pops up on your phone. We dig into rumination, boundaries, and how overgiving to low-equity relationships drains the ones that matter most. Finally, we lay out what to do next—how to set boundaries, when to pull back, and when it’s okay to quietly let a friendship go.

    35 min

  7. Mar 6

    3.11 Are Manners Dead? Claire thinks Southern Etiquette Might Save Us…

    What if “being real” has become an excuse for being rude? In this episode, we explore the line between honesty and etiquette—and why manners are less about politeness and more about keeping relationships intact.  Through stories about raising respectful kids, dressing for the role you want, and meeting a partner’s parents with grace, we unpack the difference between niceness and kindness. We also look at the small gestures that build connection—offering a drink at the door, making one thoughtful effort when hosting, or sending a handwritten thank-you note.

    42 min

  8. Feb 20

    3.10 Is the News Ruining Our Lives? (Or Are We Consuming The Wrong Things?!)

    Join Laura and Claire as they navigate the weight of the modern 24-hour news cycle without falling into the "doomscroll" trap. By blending mental health boundaries with sharp media literacy, we explore how to verify what’s real, avoid AI-generated outrage, and protect your nervous system from the rise of nightly digital trauma. Stop letting global crisis paralyze your local impact. We make the case for "going analog"—transforming news-induced helplessness into momentum through food banks, neighborly service, and concrete action. It’s time for a saner news diet that allows you to stay informed, set firm limits, and show up steadier for the people who need you most.

    27 min
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5
out of 5
68 Ratings

About

Hosted by Laura Quick and Claire Fierman, “Before You Cut Bangs” is full of hilarious conversations about real life, common and uncommon crises, and possible cosmetic errors that come along with it. Through storytelling and therapeutic wisdom, Claire and Laura share how to NOT f**k up your hair (and life) while walking through similar situations,Produced by Will Lochamy

Information

  • Creator
    Laura Quick and Claire Fierman
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Before You Cut Bangs
  • Show Website
    Before You Cut Bangs

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