Episodes

  • When Doctors Don’t Listen - The Cost of Being Dismissed

    When Doctors Don’t Listen - The Cost of Being Dismissed
    Jan 22 2026
    In this episode of Life Beyond The Mic, Shawna and LaLa talk about why they’re stepping away from one-size-fits-all, textbook medicine and embracing a more holistic, individualized approach to healthcare, all while preparing for the snowstorm of the century. They open up about medical gaslighting, being dismissed by doctors, and the importance of doing your own research, bringing case studies to appointments, and getting second (and third) opinions. Both share moments when doctors didn’t listen, and how they were right all along. LaLa discusses the devastating reality of medical negligence and how her colon ruptured after five doctors failed to take her symptoms seriously.
    Shawna also shares a major update: after 36 years of unanswered questions, she recently met with a genetics doctor who may finally have answers related to her Cerebral Palsy and other long-standing health issues that have gone unexplained for decades. This episode is a reminder that patient advocacy saves lives, holistic health looks at the whole person, and you are allowed to push for answers, even when the system makes it hard.
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    32 mins
  • Panties, Emeralds, and Gifts Nobody Asked For

    Panties, Emeralds, and Gifts Nobody Asked For
    Jan 15 2026
    It’s 2026 and we’re kicking off New Year, New You with zero delusion and a lot of honesty. LaLa turned 40 on Christmas and officially became an adult. Her birthday gifts included panties, bras, cozy socks, mittens, and an emerald bracelet. Practical. Iconic. Shawna? She got a meat tenderizer, a cheese grater, and an ongoing three-week now stomach situation. Doctors keep telling her to “just go to the ER,” which feels super helpful when they’re just going to say to follow up with GI and she could leave with the flu, super flu, COVID, or pneumonia instead. We get into milestone birthdays, questionable gifts, medical burnout, and why January makes everyone feel like they’re already failing. From resolution culture versus real life to redefining success as sustainability, this episode is about lowering the bar, listening to your body, and surviving the new year without losing your mind.
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    25 mins
  • Shawna Threw a Party... And Has Zero Memory of It

    Shawna Threw a Party... And Has Zero Memory of It
    Dec 24 2025
    It’s officially the first week of winter, even though winter weather has felt nonstop for the past month — and this episode fully matches the chaos. The girls kick things off by sharing more standout favorites from this year’s Holiday Gift Guide, then dive headfirst into a week that somehow included Florida travel drama, milestone birthdays, forgotten memories, and a serious reality check about health.
    Lauren (LaLa) just returned from Florida, where things went exactly as expected — meaning, of course, something went wrong. Before boarding her flight home, passengers were delayed due to a fuel leak on the plane, setting the tone for the rest of the week. Add in the shock of LaLa turning 40 years old on Christmas, and let’s just say… she is not taking “official adulthood” well.Meanwhile, Shawna had her own shocking discovery. While scrolling through old videos on her phone, she found footage from her mom’s 60th birthday party --- a party Shawna herself planned and threw, and has absolutely no memory of the event at all. Which naturally leads to laughs, disbelief, and some very real questions. In between the chaos, the girls reflect on one of their most meaningful holiday traditions: delivering holiday gift bags to the pediatric unit at Garnet Medical Center. Each bag was put together to bring comfort, joy, and a reminder that these children are not forgotten during the holidays. The girls are incredibly grateful to the brands who partnered with them and helped make this year’s gift bags possible, including PATH Water, Bored No More, Toothbrush Toys, Wright Brothers, Diel Makeup, Penelope & The Vase, Be Blends, Finding Joy, and That’s It Fruit snacks. Their generosity helped spread holiday cheer where it was needed most. As the new year approaches, and with LaLa officially entering a new decade... Shawna and LaLa get real about their goals for the year ahead, including working out more, prioritizing their health, and actually listening to their bodies instead of pushing through burnout.

    If you’ve ever forgotten your age, questioned your memory, hated winter, or felt personally attacked by a birthday --- this one’s for you.
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    29 mins
  • NY Winter Blues, Holiday Gift Guide Picks

    NY Winter Blues, Holiday Gift Guide Picks
    Dec 18 2025
    New York winter weather is hitting hard, and Shawna has officially reached her limit. As snowstorms and freezing temperatures take over NY, Shawna and LaLa open up about why her body and winter simply do not mix and how the cold affects everyday life. They also continue their holiday gift guide series, sharing favorite winter and holiday finds including the Clearlight Sauna, Harney & Sons Teas, Dugout Mugs, Harken Candy, Panasonic’s bread maker, and ScanMyPhotos.com. Plus, Shawna and LaLa sit down with 18-year-old country music artist Reese Goode, who is still in high school, to talk about her rising music career, balancing school and songwriting, and what’s next for this young artist to watch.
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    27 mins
  • Holiday Favorites and Accessibility in the Arts: bergenPAC Edition

    Holiday Favorites and Accessibility in the Arts: bergenPAC Edition
    Nov 26 2025
    It’s gift-guide time! Shawna and LaLa break down their favorite holiday picks. Green Pan, EaZyHold, Gabby’s Dollhouse, and the Echo Flask, and why these finds deserve a spot under your tree. Shawna also chats with bergenPAC Executive Director Alexander Diaz about their performing arts school, inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities, and the excitement of working with talent from all over the world.
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    41 mins
  • Bryan James Breaks His Silence

    Bryan James Breaks His Silence
    Nov 17 2025
    Bryan James sits down with Shawna and LaLa for a raw and emotional conversation about the chaos surrounding the upcoming movie Reckless and his fractured relationship with co-star Max Ehrich. Bryan opens up about their recent arguments, the behind-the-scenes drama, and what he says has really been going on with Max, and the social media spiral that has shocked fans. Bryan shares his own experiences, private conversations, and his perspective on the situation, including the heated exchanges and the struggles he says he witnessed firsthand. This interview was originally threatened with legal action, but we believe in transparency and giving guests the space to speak in their own words. We also discuss the viral clips circulating online, including audio footage originally published by TMZ that has fueled even more public conversation.
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    46 mins
  • Macy Gray Unplugged: 25 Years of Soul, Stories, and Surprises

    Macy Gray Unplugged: 25 Years of Soul, Stories, and Surprises
    Oct 16 2025
    In this fun and feel-good episode, Shawna and LaLa chat with the legendary Macy Gray, who’s celebrating 25 amazing years in the music industry! Macy opens up about her journey, her upcoming tour stop at Bethel Woods on November 8th, and gives fans a sneak peek at her new album that’s currently in the works. The episode takes a nostalgic turn as Shawna and LaLa travel back to the 90’s, reliving the music, memories, and moments that defined a generation. Meanwhile, Shawna admits she’s not thrilled that it’s getting cold out—and that Christmas is only 71 days away! She’s been keeping warm (and healthy) thanks to her new Clearlight Sauna, which she says has made a huge difference in her migraines, muscles, and sleep.And of course, LaLa brings the laughs with her outrageous story about an Amazon delivery driver who “Free Willy’d” it through his truck window after spotting her dog, Cayman.
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    31 mins
  • Secrets to a Long Life

    Secrets to a Long Life
    Sep 25 2025
    LaLa shares a wild story from a local dance party she attended with Giulina, where a total stranger walked up and asked her to hold her baby then disappeared. Neither LaLa nor anyone else had any clue who this woman was, but she trusted LaLa with her child! Shawna still can’t get over it. Also in this episode, Shawna and LaLa sit down with Ken Dabrow, who is a 95-year-old voiceover artist and author of Age My Ass. Ken brings his wit, wisdom, and perspective to the mic, leaving the girls (and listeners!) with some incredible life advice.It’s an episode full of laughs, surprises, and lessons you won’t want to miss!
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    43 mins