Down the Rabbit Hole

This episode explores how fear is embedded into the systems that shape our lives....and who benefits from it. Sam and Bri talk about how fear influences major life transitions, creativity, relationships, influencer culture, capitalism, and even the stories we inherit from past generations. From compliance culture to codependency, we unpack how insecurity is often reinforced because it keeps us consuming, comparing, and doubting ourselves. They talk very personally about their own visbility wounds, relationship patterns, and fears.  They also explore how platonic relationships, individual healing, astrology, and creativity help us step outside of fear-based thinking and reclaim agency. Because when we become aware of how fear operates, we stop participating in it — and start building lives rooted in trust, self-expression, and empowerment. Bonus conversations include: What the hell are men spending their money on? How can women be gold diggers if there's no gold? Cathartic scream-singing sessions in cars, very invasive dermotoligst appointments... And more! This conversation is about recognizing the systems that profit from our insecurity… and choosing something different. 00:00 Moving and Life Transitions 05:51 Art, Community, and Emotional Release 10:49 Fear and Compliance Culture 14:53 Creativity, Self-Expression, and Societal Expectations 24:25 Navigating Capitalism and Insecurity Culture 32:18 The Role of Women in Influencer Culture 39:44 Inheritance Culture and Generational Narratives 50:54 Fear in Relational Culture and Self-Worth 55:57 The Impact of Codependency on Relationships 01:01:05 The Importance of Platonic Relationships 01:06:25 The Role of Individual Healing in Collective Change 01:14:14 Astrology as a Tool for Understanding Life 01:19:40 Harnessing Whimsy and Creativity for Empowerment

In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, we unpack the cultural moment we're living in—and how beauty standards are never just about beauty.  From the rise of the clean girl aesthetic to the rebranding of trad wife culture, we explore how discipline, control, and obedience are being repackaged as aspirational lifestyles. What looks like "wellness," "simplicity," or "femininity" on the surface often carries deeper messaging about who women should be….and how they should behave. We also dive into the return of skinny culture and the eerie parallels between today and the early 2000s—from heroine chic to the resurgence of hyper-thin ideals dominating social media and fashion. Why are these trends coming back now? And what do they reveal about the political and economic climate we're in?   00:00 Navigating Change and Technology Challenges 04:42 The Impact of Beauty Standards and Trends 09:56 Cultural Trends and the Fight for Female Empowerment 15:28 Embracing the Wild Woman Within 20:33 The Journey of Self-Acceptance and Value 25:03 The Impact of Social Media on Self-Perception 33:39 The Cycle of Control and Agency in Women's Lives 45:48 The Resurgence of Early 2000s Beauty Norms 51:00 Political Sedation and Beauty Standards 58:15 Authenticity and the Pressure of Appearance 01:03:54 Trad Wife Culture and Its Implications 01:09:56 The Value of Women's Labor

In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, Sam and Bri spiral (naturally) from creative retreats to Parisian art history to jujitsu mats and, somehow, swords. At the heart of the conversation is their shared belief that creative retreats are not indulgent escapes — they're a return. A way to refill the creative well. A way to remember who you are outside of productivity, partnership, motherhood, performance. They reflect on the power of gathering women in wild landscapes — the wildlife encounters, the preparedness, the reverence for nature — and how being outside strips away hierarchy. They talk about what actually happens when women gather intentionally and the collective healing that occurs when roles are set down and masks come off. Eventually they can't help themselves and widen the lens to talk about male-on-male validation — how many men are conditioned to perform strength for one another rather than offer emotional safety. They unpack how patriarchy harms men too, boxing them into rigid expressions of masculinity where validation comes from dominance, status, or suppression of feeling. This is where the conversation takes a delightfully unexpected turn into stories about swords and jujitsu. Bri recounts her infamous "ringworm modeling gig" (yes, really), you need to hear it.   00:00 Welcome to the Retreat Planning Adventure 01:33 Exploring the Magic of the Tetons 03:55 The Power of Community and Connection 09:21 Wildlife Encounters and Nature's Beauty 13:55 Preparing for Outdoor Adventures 18:17 The Importance of Collective Healing 23:12 Breaking Down Barriers Among Women 26:29 The Power of Communal Care 28:25 Transformative Moments in Retreats 31:54 Recalibrating Relationships After Retreats 34:48 The Importance of Women-Only Spaces 37:53 Men's Need for Introspective Spaces 41:10 Exploring Intimacy and Vulnerability in Men 43:02 Finding Safety in Community 46:23 The Contrast of Experiences 50:07 The Journey of Self-Discovery Through New Activities

This one is for the artists.  In this episode, Sam and Bri talk shop, fully and without censor, all the ebs and flows of choosing a creative life path, the highs and lows, and everything in between.  Choosing to create your own career comes with incredible freedoms, and often a total lack of structure.  The artist must not only create the art, but must become an expert at self trust, nervous system regulation, and personalized daily structure.  Finding your creative people is the greatest tool of all.  We get to choose our own god, we decide who gets the front row seats to our lives, Sam loves Dick Van Dyke, and Bri is moving into a very untethered, exciting chapter. Please share this with the artists in your life, this may help them feel a little less insane.     00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:37 The Importance of Art in Healing 03:47 Imposter Syndrome and Artistic Expression 04:40 The Role of Artists in Society 07:50 Art as a Means of Record Keeping 09:11 Tenderness and Vulnerability in Art 10:24 AI and the Future of Creativity 13:56 Authenticity vs. AI in Art 16:06 Reading and Rituals for Creativity 19:52 Establishing Safety in Creativity 22:18 Overcoming the All-or-Nothing Mindset 33:02 Navigating the Cycles of Creativity 39:13 Trusting Yourself in Uncertainty 44:03 The Importance of Community in the Creative Journey 45:40 The Arena of Creativity 46:43 The Importance of Community 49:04 Navigating Relationships and Boundaries 51:47 Self-Trust and Personal Growth 53:06 The Theater of Life: Who's in Your Front Row? 55:41 Inspiration from Dick Van Dyke 58:56 Preparing for Change and New Beginnings

In this episode, Sam and Bri unpack the collective grief and rage many women are carrying, using Renee Good's killing to name the quiet power dynamics women navigate every day. They dive into feminism, masculinity, and their privilege as white women, while also reminding listeners to look for the collective good still alive in the world. From there, heading directly into self work, emotional capacity, attachment styles, and the necessity of learning to receive. Sam reflects on a retreat that taught her to make fewer decisions and soften into receptivity. They dive into shadow work as women, the traits they were taught to hide, like anger, intensity, or "too muchness," and how those buried parts are often the very source of strength. By reclaiming their shadows, they reframe sensitivity, fire, and weirdness as tools for building a more honest, connected future. Bonus conversations about grave robbing in art, the wolves of the sawtooth pack, the power of astrology, and not making politicians your favorite celebrity. Subscribe, like and review to help us push the podcast forward!   00:00 Welcome to Our First Remote Episode 00:14 The Emotional Weight of Change 05:51 Navigating Privilege and Responsibility 08:50 The Impact of Recent Events 14:14 Community Action and Advocacy 20:33 The Weight of Fear: Women's Experiences with Aggression 27:16 Political Discourse: The Need for Emotional Intelligence 32:55 The Importance of Community and Self-Care 39:44 Navigating Attachment Styles 41:13 The Importance of Community 43:31 Cosmic Leadership and Astrology 46:18 Embracing Our Shadows 49:27 The Role of Artists in Society 55:14 Deep Dives: Anatomy and Art 56:42 Exploring the Connection with Wolves

The rabbit hole this week explores the outrage gap we feel between men and women, the power in shifting the gaze inward, the nuance of learned helplessness, and the seductive nature of political apathy.   00:00 Welcome Back and New Beginnings 04:04 Sponsorship Woes and Podcasting Realities 10:28 Collective Gaslighting: Women's Experiences 16:15 The Outrage Gap: Men and Women's Issues 23:13 Learned Helplessness and Political Apathy 29:45 Reclaiming Agency and Community

In this light-hearted episode, Bri and Sam discuss their issue with the New Year being too pressurized, fun memories and traditions of the New Year, and how the choose to set goals. They each give each other insight to the lessons they've learned: from breaking toxic relationship patterns to leaning in to self trust as a single woman. This episode focus on taking moments of gratitude and reflection for all that's happened this year.

We dive into the emotional weight of nostalgia, the beginnings of holiday consumerism, and the importance of creating our own traditions as an act of self love.  We share some of the grief and healing that can come with stillness and seasonal cycles, and we also attempt to give some of our Christmas traditions the credit where they're due.  

In this episode, Sam and Bri continue exploring a conversation with friend and Pelvic Floor Therapist Dr. Kayleigh. They talk about health class and the shame it implements at a young age, how the world discounts intuitive bodily sensation, and the power of diaphragmatic breathing for strength, healing and resilience. The conversation works around chronic illness and pain as they talk about their own personal experiences while weaving in Dr.Kayleigh's widsom. They discuss the power of meditation for chronic pain, alongside the different areas of the brain that signal pain— how cash-based healthcare practices can ensure a full healing and so much more! For anyone navigating chronic illness, chronic pain, endometriosis, cystitis and UTIs, pelvic floor dysfunction and so much more.. you are not alone. Follow Dr.Kayleigh @thepelvicsocialclub   00:00 Navigating Trauma Responses and Intuition 11:31 Celebrating Growth and Positive Reflections 17:05 The Role of Pelvic Floor Therapy 23:24 Navigating Healthcare: Cash vs. Insurance 26:44 Empowerment Through Self-Care 33:04 Creating Supportive Spaces for Healing 40:11 The Flow of Creativity and Movement 43:13 Understanding Hormonal Influences on Mood 43:13 Cultural Reflections: Taylor Swift's Engagement 53:12 Exploring the Depths of Performance Art

In this episode, we're joined by our friend and pelvic floor physical therapist, Dr. Kayleigh, and we go way down the rabbit hole on chronic conditions, the body keeping the score, and what it can look like to learn how to heal your own body from the inside out. We get radically honest about our personal medical stories: endometriosis, appendicitis, chronic constipation, and even peeing ourselves while running—and how each experience has shaped our relationship to our bodies. Dr. Kayleigh offers invaluable insight from the provider perspective, reminding us what's possible when you have a clinician who truly listens. Together, we talk about bodily trauma, injury, the nervous system, and the practices we've implemented over the years to reconnect with our bodies instead of abandoning them. We also explore what it really means to advocate for yourself in medical spaces, especially when your symptoms are minimized or misunderstood. It's equal parts validating, educational, and deeply human: a conversation for anyone who's ever felt betrayed by their body, or is trying to find their way back home to it.... and for anyone who cannot poop while on vacation  If you know someone struggling with a chronic illness, please send this to them! And as always, please rate, review and subscribe x   00:00 Silly Goose Conversations and Lighthearted Banter 02:00 Exploring the Body's Wisdom and Childhood Experiences 10:38 The Connection Between Pain and Memory 19:40 The Role of Pelvic Floor Therapy 19:59 Cystitis and Bladder Health 27:01 The Importance of Holistic Approaches 35:30 Breathwork and the Nervous System 43:19 Understanding Pelvic Floor Dynamics 48:38 Navigating Healthcare: Cash vs. Insurance 50:06 Empowerment Through Self-Care 56:25 Creating Supportive Spaces for Healing 01:01:24 The Flow of Creativity and Movement 01:10:11 Understanding Hormonal Influences on Mood 01:13:12 Cultural Reflections: Taylor Swift's Engagement 01:23:11 Exploring the Depths of Performance Art

This week, after a brief detour into the Hamilton obsession, Bri takes us back to her former life in the New York modeling world - and the unique relationship she developed with her body along the way.  Sam shares her own experience with bodily perfection and the pressure as a dancer.  They unpack body image, identity, and the ways society shapes what we think we want. 

Can men and women really just be friends? In this conversation, Bri and Sam unpack the intricate dynamics of platonic relationships across gender lines. They explore the nuance of power imbalances between men and women, sharing personal experiences of feeling unsafe and the ways these dynamics shape our interactions… even in friendships. From the tension between genuine connection and underlying sexual chemistry to the question of whether true platonic friendship can exist when power differentials are at play… Bri and Sam get vulnerable about the moments they've felt their boundaries tested, the subtle and not-so-subtle ways gender influences every relationship, and how they're learning to navigate these complexities with honesty and awareness, while still remaining open

In this episode we're diving into competition as women, life as recovering 'cool girls', toxic views of femininity that take a lot of dismantling.  We also share our personal icks, the creepy masks of our childhood, and we'd love to 'make men gather for wholesome reasons again'.

Sam and Bri talk about the messiness of transition, living between homes and lives, and leaning on the help you didn't have to ask for.

In this episode, Sam and Bri dive into the complex topic of severing parts of the self in order to be more palatable. They share their own experiences of shrinking various sides of themselves in order to be taken seriously in the art world, what it means to be a multidimensional human, and how specialization culture is harming our global community. They chat about how women are the real outlaws, Bri's landlord being the big Lebowski, and Sam will have to be taxidermied for her tattoos to live forever 

Sam and Bri talk academic rejection, career validation, burning paintings, falling studio ceilings, and wrestling the tension between deeper work and social media.

Sam and Bri discuss how they met during the early phases of their careers, a van trip out west, and imposter syndrome and its many faces.  Not without recalling a few unfortunate doctor visits, the true cost of toxic relationships, and the way we catch ourselves after we jump off a cliff.