Boundaries & Banter

Taryn & Michela

🎙️ Boundaries & Banter is a podcast hosted by sisters-in-law Taryn & Michela, where honest conversations meet real life.We talk family, friendship, culture, and the messy process of learning boundaries — with humor, warmth, and zero pretending we have it all figured out.New episodes dive into relationships, self-growth, and navigating modern womanhood, one real conversation at a time.

Episodes

  1. Friendship Breakups Hurt More Than Romantic Ones (Here’s Why)

    5D AGO

    Friendship Breakups Hurt More Than Romantic Ones (Here’s Why)

    Friendship breakups can hurt more than romantic breakups—and no one talks about it. In this episode of Boundaries & Banter, we unpack why losing a friend cuts so deep, how friendship breakups actually happen, and how to know when it’s time to walk away. We talk about: Why friendship loss feels so destabilizing The different ways friendships end (slow fade vs betrayal) When a “half-apology” isn’t enough Why boundaries matter even in long friendships How to grieve a friendship without villainizing yourself The moment you realize it’s time to say goodbye If you’ve ever felt heartbroken over a friend—and wondered why it hurt this much—you’re not alone. 📩 Share your story (always anonymous): boundariesandbanter@gmail.com 00:00 – Why friendship breakups hurt so much 01:05 – Why we don’t talk about losing friends 02:20 – Friendship vs romantic breakups: what’s different 04:15 – The slow fade vs sudden betrayal 06:40 – When apologies don’t come with change 09:10 – Boundaries in friendships (yes, they matter) 12:30 – When staying hurts more than leaving 16:05 – Grieving a friendship without blaming yourself 19:40 – “Sayonara, Sally”: knowing when it’s time 22:30 – Final thoughts: choosing peace over history #friendshipbreakup #friendshiploss #toxicfriendships #boundaries #healing #relationships #emotionalhealth #mentalhealthpodcast #boundariesandbanter Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️ Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between. 👇 Stay connected with us: 📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter 🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter ▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter 💌 Share your story: boundariesandbanter@gmail.com #BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #WomensPodcast

    38 min
  2. What Is a Boundary? And Why Family Crosses Them So Easily

    FEB 1

    What Is a Boundary? And Why Family Crosses Them So Easily

    What is a boundary—and why do family members so often cross it? In this episode of Boundaries & Banter, we sit down with licensed family therapist Bernadine Fried to break down what boundaries actually are, why they’re essential for mental health, and how family dynamics, in-laws, and culture complicate them. We talk about physical, emotional, and relational boundaries, why people-pleasing leads to resentment, and how to set limits without guilt or over-explaining. We also react to a real listener story involving a sister-in-law snooping through a phone at family dinner—and exactly how to respond when a boundary is violated. This episode is for anyone struggling with family boundaries, in-laws, people-pleasing, or feeling like setting limits makes you “the bad guy.” 00:00 – Welcome back + why we’re defining boundaries 00:26 – Meet Bernadine Fried (LMFT) 00:55 – What a boundary is (where I start/you begin) 01:20 – Physical vs emotional vs relational boundaries 02:52 – Why emotional boundaries create resentment 05:20 – Real-life example: midnight work call (no boundary) 06:00 – How to set boundaries without abandoning yourself 08:16 – Setting boundaries after “no boundaries” + pushback 09:08 – You don’t set boundaries alone (bring your partner in) 13:27 – Scripts: “This is what I’m needing right now” 15:23 – Consequences when people keep crossing it 20:03 – Culture + boundaries: when it feels like an attack 22:22 – Story time: sister-in-law snoops phone at Shabbat dinner 23:30 – What to say + do you apologize? 28:11 – Would You Rather (lightning round) 34:58 – Wrap + thank you If this episode resonates, subscribe for honest conversations about boundaries, relationships, family dynamics, and mental health. #boundaries #familyboundaries #inlaws #mentalhealth #peoplepleasing #relationships #therapy #emotionalboundaries #selfrespect #healing #podcast Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️ Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between. 👇 Stay connected with us: 📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter 🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter ▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter 💌 Share your story: boundariesandbanter@gmail.com #BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #WomensPodcast

    35 min
  3. Generational Trauma: The “Normal” Family Patterns That Hurt You

    JAN 25

    Generational Trauma: The “Normal” Family Patterns That Hurt You

    Generational trauma shows up as “normal” family patterns—guilt, fear, silent treatment, people-pleasing—and it quietly shapes your nervous system. In this Boundaries & Banter episode, Taryn & Michela talk about how it’s passed down, how it impacts boundaries, and what it really takes to break the cycle. We unpack: What generational trauma is (and what it isn’t) Survival patterns: guilt, obligation, fear-based parenting, silence How immigration + safety fears can live in your body decades later Why breaking patterns often means disappointing someone The “owing” narrative: why gratitude doesn’t cancel autonomy No-contact conversations online—and what people miss without context A listener story: a Persian mom terrified of “losing” her daughter 📩 Send your stories: boundariesandbanter@gmail.com  (always anonymous) 00:00 – Generational trauma: why this matters 00:27 – Definition: how trauma passes down through patterns 01:25 – Common examples: silence, guilt, fear, obligation 02:18 – Breaking the cycle: can you recognize it? 02:30 – Our South Africa story: living in constant fear 04:31 – Why “panic mode” becomes your default 06:50 – Immigrant trauma: “I can’t fail” mindset 08:49 – Body image + food patterns passed down 11:20 – How it shows up: people-pleasing, apologizing, fear of conflict 13:10 – Why boundaries feel like danger 15:16 – The no-contact debate: what people don’t understand 18:27 – Step one: recognize it. Step two: choose change 19:04 – The hardest part: disappointing someone 22:28 – “Your child doesn’t owe you” (and why that’s healing) 24:33 – Listener story: Persian mom, 28-year-old daughter moving away 26:06 – Our take: let her go, keep her close 30:07 – Would You Rather: honesty vs resentment 31:00 – Would you rather: viral fight vs unresolved pain 31:54 – Wrap #generationaltrauma #familypatterns #healingjourney #boundaries #peoplepleasing #traumarecovery #familydynamics #mentalhealth #immigrantstory Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️ Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between. 👇 Stay connected with us: 📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter 🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter ▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter 💌 Share your story: boundariesandbanter@gmail.com #BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #WomensPodcast

    32 min
  4. Online Bullying Went Too Far — When “Opinions” Become Cruel Attacks

    JAN 23

    Online Bullying Went Too Far — When “Opinions” Become Cruel Attacks

    Online bullying, internet harassment, and cruel comment culture are out of control. In this emotional episode of Boundaries & Banter, we open up about the hateful comments we received, the difference between disagreement and bullying, and how anonymity online turns cruelty into entertainment. We talk about: When criticism becomes harassment The psychology behind mob mentality online How grief, trauma, and postpartum vulnerability get weaponized Why being “public” does not mean consenting to abuse How to protect your mental health in the face of online attacks This is a raw, necessary conversation about boundaries, humanity, and why words matter more than people think. 💬 If you’ve experienced bullying — online or offline — you’re not alone. https://www.stopbullying.gov/ 📩 Share your story: boundariesandbanter@gmail.com 00:00 – Are we ready to talk about this? 01:05 – Why we started Boundaries & Banter 02:20 – When opinions turn into cruelty 04:01 – Criticism vs bullying: what’s the difference? 05:29 – Anonymous hate and entitlement online 08:03 – Bullying as a public health issue 09:19 – Mob mentality on social media 11:14 – Mental health impact of online harassment 15:01 – Weaponizing grief and personal trauma 18:16 – Why bullies project their pain 21:36 – Celebrity culture & parasocial entitlement 26:36 – How to protect yourself online 27:13 – A personal bullying story (high school) 33:34 – Our message to anyone being bullied 34:45 – Final thoughts: bullying is not okay #OnlineBullying #InternetHarassment #MentalHealthMatters #BoundariesAndBanter #StopBullying #PodcastConversation #DigitalBoundaries Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️ Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between. 👇 Stay connected with us: 📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter 🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter ▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter 💌 Share your story: boundariesandbanter@gmail.com #BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #WomensPodcast

    35 min
  5. Postpartum Anxiety & In-Laws: When Family Ignores Boundaries

    JAN 23

    Postpartum Anxiety & In-Laws: When Family Ignores Boundaries

    Postpartum anxiety and in-law boundaries collide in this raw Boundaries & Banter episode. Taryn & Michela break down real-life in-law conflict, emotional enmeshment, motherhood guilt, and why boundaries are necessary—not cruel. In this episode, we share our own experiences marrying into big, enmeshed families, navigating postpartum anxiety, and dealing with in-laws who believe “there are no boundaries in family.” We read a powerful anonymous story from a new mom struggling with postpartum anxiety, unannounced visits, guilt, and emotional manipulation—and we say the quiet parts out loud. This episode is for you if: You’re postpartum and emotionally overwhelmed Your in-laws don’t respect boundaries You’ve been told “family doesn’t need boundaries” You feel guilty for protecting your peace You’re trying to choose your nuclear family without burning bridges Boundaries aren’t punishment — they’re protection. And yes, boundaries are sexy. 👇 Drop your story below or email us anonymously. You are not alone. 💌 Share your story: boundariesandbanter@gmail.com 00:00 – Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 01:30 – Fast engagements, marriage & zero time for boundaries 04:28 – Why we created this podcast 05:16 – Nuclear family vs. enmeshed families 06:12 – First time meeting our in-laws 09:18 – Why boundaries trigger in-laws 10:17 – When boundaries start too late 12:00 – Highs & lows of marrying into family systems 17:16 – Postpartum anxiety + in-law pressure (Anonymous Story) 21:13 – Unannounced visits & emotional manipulation 24:49 – When grandparents feel “entitled” 27:26 – Should you still go to Thanksgiving? 29:03 – Would You Rather: In-Law Edition 30:56 – Why boundaries save relationships 31:36 – Final thoughts & community message #postpartumanxiety #inlawboundaries #motherhoodreal #boundariesaresexy #toxicfamilydynamics #newmomlife #emotionalboundaries #postpartummentalhealth #marriageandfamily #boundariesandbanter #inlawdrama #womensmentalhealth Welcome to Boundaries & Banter 🎙️ Join Taryn and Michela for raw, funny, and heartfelt conversations about mental health, relationships, and everything in between. 👇 Stay connected with us: 📸 Instagram – @boundariesandbanter 🎵 TikTok – @boundariesandbanter ▶️ YouTube Shorts & full episodes – youtube.com/@boundariesandbanter #BoundariesAndBanter #MentalHealthPodcast #Relationships #FunnyPodcast #womenspodcast Monetization ID ZG69Z2IDZ9HWTX6O.

    32 min

About

🎙️ Boundaries & Banter is a podcast hosted by sisters-in-law Taryn & Michela, where honest conversations meet real life.We talk family, friendship, culture, and the messy process of learning boundaries — with humor, warmth, and zero pretending we have it all figured out.New episodes dive into relationships, self-growth, and navigating modern womanhood, one real conversation at a time.