Before You Cut Bangs

Laura Quick and Claire Fierman
  • 5.0 (71)
  • 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. 14h ago

    3.25 Apparently, We Have To Rescue Ourselves

    A possum walks into a house at 2 a.m., and somehow it turns into one of the clearest lessons we’ve had about mental health, self-reliance, and what it actually means to grow up emotionally. We start with Claire’s very real wildlife situation and use it as a springboard into a bigger truth: waiting for someone else to fix your life feels comforting, but it quietly keeps you stuck. We explore the empowering (if initially jarring) idea that you have to "rescue yourself," drawing on Claire's therapy experience with clients who look to others for answers instead of trusting themselves. The hosts contrast healthy social support with reassurance-seeking, and discuss how overprotective "snowplow" parenting can undermine self-trust and fuel a need for external validation. The conversation then turns practical, tackling anxiety through the lens of processing versus rumination, why fixating on a feeling amplifies it, and how tolerating discomfort builds long-term resilience. The core message: you're capable of changing your own mind — and a challenge to identify one area of life where you're ready to stop waiting and choose yourself.

  2. Sep 4

    3.24 Is Addiction Really A Disease??? w/ Keith Fierman (Claire’s Dad) Part 2

    Waiting on someone you love to “finally be ready” for addiction help can quietly take over your whole life. Today we sit down with someone who’s lived both sides of it: Keith Fierman, Claire’s dad, who got sober and then built a life around helping families in crisis find the right next step. We get honest about the fear, the hope, and the confusion that shows up when addiction is in the house, and why so many people feel stuck watching the clock. Keith shares pieces of his backstory and the long shadow trauma can cast, but he also offers a crucial recovery lens: don’t rush to dig into trauma while someone is still unstable. We talk about why the addicted brain goes into survival mode when it feels threatened, how “helpful” confrontations can backfire, and why real support often starts with safety, stabilization, and a plan. We also unpack what addiction can look like when it doesn’t match the stereotype, including high-functioning addiction and the terrifying speed of opioid dependence. Keith challenges two of the most common myths families hear: that someone has to hit rock bottom, and that they have to want help before anything can change. This is part one, and we’re continuing Keith’s story in part two. Subscribe so you don’t miss it, share this with someone who needs a better map, and if our work helps, leave a five-star rating and review. What belief about addiction do you want us to tackle next?

  3. Aug 21

    3.23 Is Addiction Really A Disease??? w/ Keith Fierman (Claire’s Dad) Part 1

    Waiting on someone you love to “finally be ready” for addiction help can quietly take over your whole life. Today we sit down with someone who’s lived both sides of it: Keith Fierman, Claire’s dad, who got sober and then built a life around helping families in crisis find the right next step. We get honest about the fear, the hope, and the confusion that shows up when addiction is in the house, and why so many people feel stuck watching the clock. Keith shares pieces of his backstory and the long shadow trauma can cast, but he also offers a crucial recovery lens: don’t rush to dig into trauma while someone is still unstable. We talk about why the addicted brain goes into survival mode when it feels threatened, how “helpful” confrontations can backfire, and why real support often starts with safety, stabilization, and a plan. We also unpack what addiction can look like when it doesn’t match the stereotype, including high-functioning addiction and the terrifying speed of opioid dependence. Keith challenges two of the most common myths families hear: that someone has to hit rock bottom, and that they have to want help before anything can change. This is part one, and we’re continuing Keith’s story in part two. Subscribe so you don’t miss it, share this with someone who needs a better map, and if our work helps, leave a five-star rating and review. What belief about addiction do you want us to tackle next?

  4. Aug 7

    3.22 TRAUMA, HURRY & HIDING: three things keeping us from REST. Here’s why.

    Life moves fast, but sometimes the real problem isn’t the pace—it’s what we’re trying to outrun. This week, we unpack the hidden cost of constant urgency, why our culture rewards nonstop motion, and how anxiety, comparison, and discomfort keep us reaching for the next distraction instead of finding peace. Laura shares the long wait behind a life-changing "yes," while Claire explains why slowing down can feel so uncomfortable—and so necessary. From practical ways to embrace stillness to one simple question that can change your perspective, this episode is an invitation to trade constant hustle for a little more joy, presence, and freedom.

  5. Jul 24

    3.21 Why Do We Freak Out?

    Ever get a text that says, "I'm not okay," and suddenly your heart is racing, you're planning a rescue mission, and your brain has already imagined the worst? This week, we unpack why the people we love can send our nervous systems into overdrive. From a surprisingly relatable story about bee stings to the psychology of urgency, we explore why fixing, planning, and over-checking often say more about our own anxiety than the situation in front of us. Claire and Laura break down the difference between caring, controlling, and caretaking, why our brains invent worst-case scenarios to feel safe, and how monitoring someone else's moods can quietly become an unhealthy pattern. Along the way, they share practical tools for pausing before you rescue, setting healthier boundaries, supporting teenagers and loved ones without carrying their burdens, and recognizing when giving someone space is actually the most loving thing you can do. If you've ever felt responsible for someone else's emotions, this conversation will leave you feeling seen—and better equipped to respond with calm instead of panic.

  6. Jul 10

    3.20 Porch Talk w/ Alycia Levels Moore

    We owe you a quick apology—the audio on this episode is a little rough in spots, but stick with us because the conversation is absolutely worth it.  This week we're joined by Alycia Levels Moore, a powerhouse in economic and community development, for a conversation about building stronger neighborhoods, helping entrepreneurs succeed, and why Birmingham is full of opportunity for people willing to invest in their community. She explains what economic development really looks like beyond the buzzwords and why creating the right environment helps businesses—and people—thrive. Then the conversation gets deeply personal. Alycia shares what it's like raising four young kids while balancing a demanding career, learning to ask for help, and navigating grief, marriage, boundaries, and the friendships that sustain us through life's hardest seasons. It's an honest, thoughtful episode about ambition, resilience, and the importance of building a community that shows up when you need it most. If you've ever struggled to carry it all alone, this one's for you.

  7. Jun 26

    3.19 Strong Women - Porch Talk w/ Lindsey Miller Neal

    Lindsay Miller Neal thought she had life mapped out—until one unexpected night changed everything. On this episode of Porch Talks, the fractional CFO, entrepreneur, and boxing fitness co-founder shares how grit, resilience, and embracing the unexpected shaped both her personal life and career. (And yes, there's a small audio glitch, but this conversation is absolutely worth it.) We also dive into the financial habits that help women build real wealth, avoid common money mistakes, and grow businesses with confidence. From overcoming comparison to understanding your numbers and hiring smarter, Lindsay offers practical advice for anyone ready to think bigger, live intentionally, and build a life on their own terms.

  8. Jun 12

    3.18 That one time Claire saw a Psychic…

    Sometimes life throws something really big or hard at us and we believe we need help ASAP. So obviously, you text your therapist or find a psychic, right?!? Jk. But Claire did hire a psychic once and we haze her accordingly.  Something else is happening though when we don’t give ourselves a bit of breathing room for our nervous system to settle and regulate…we take to the internet.  What happens when the internet becomes your nervous system? This episode explores self-diagnosis culture, algorithmic reinforcement, health anxiety, therapy speak, and the psychological effects of constantly consuming mental health online.

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5
out of 5
71 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
    74
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Before You Cut Bangs
  • Show Website
    Before You Cut Bangs

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