Chin Hairs & F-bombs

In this episode of Chin Hairs and F-Bombs, SallyAnn sits down with her friend Felicity, a mental health therapist, for an honest conversation about finding the right therapist. They talk about the hesitation so many of us feel when reaching out for help, the importance of feeling understood and safe, and the practical stuff nobody tells you: navigating insurance, what to say in your first conversation, and even how to break up with a therapist if it's not the right fit. Felicity shares insider tips for therapy newcomers while both women open up about their own experiences on both sides of the therapy couch. Whether you're therapy-curious or looking for a better match, this conversation offers relatable, no-BS guidance.

In this special bonus episode, your Gal Pal Sal shares a sweet Saturday morning story about her 12-year-old son Teddy and his mission to create the perfect lemonade recipe.From flashbacks of stressful baking sessions to her own childhood learning to cook with Betty Crocker, Sal reflects on how we learn—and how hard it is to watch someone you love make mistakes on purpose. But as Teddy experiments, adjusts, and finally nails his recipe, Sal discovers something beautiful about stepping back and letting the process unfold.

In this episode of Chin Hairs and F-Bombs, SallyAnn and her guest, Chelsea Ray get real about finding light in the darkest moments. Chelsea opens up about navigating an unexpected divorce and reclaiming her power, while SallyAnn shares her ongoing battles with anxiety, depression, and loss. Together, they explore what actually helps when life gets hard—the healing power of music and dance, wellness rituals, solo retreats in nature, and the life-saving power of genuine human connection. This episode includes Story Time with your Gal Pal Sal and wraps up with Joy Shares, celebrating the ordinary delights that keep us grounded. An honest conversation about resilience, support systems, and finding comfort in the mess.00:00 Welcome to Chin Hairs and F-Bombs01:29 Meet Chelsea: Fashion and Friendship03:00 The Power of Dopamine Dressing05:13 Finding Light in the Dark07:58 Chelsea's Heartbreaking Year13:47 The Importance of Sharing and Support23:04 Healing Rituals and Practices27:50 The Joy of Walking28:55 Solo Retreats: Disconnect to Reconnect32:03 Self-Discovery Through Hardship36:08 Finding Light in the Dark39:33 Story Time with Your Gab Pal Sal47:00 Joy Shares: Celebrating the Little Things52:47 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

In this episode of Chin Hairs and F-Bombs, SallyAnn Gray invites her husband, Benjamin, for a raw and honest conversation about burnout. They open up about how it impacted their marriage, their work, and their sense of self - and how they each found their way back. Sally and Benjamin unpack the different ways burnout shows up for men and women, the weight of societal expectations, and the strategies that actually helped them heal. Along the way, they share practical advice, real-life stories, and one surprising truth: sometimes you’ve gotta get outside and play in the dirt.00:00 – Welcome to Chin Hairs and F-Bombs00:40 – Meet the guest: Benjamin01:06 – Burnout: Let’s talk about it01:49 – Who we are, what we’re about04:35 – So what IS burnout, really?06:34 – How burnout messes with your head and heart13:02 – Men, women, and burnout: Different rules, same pressure19:29 – What burnout did to our relationship24:48 – Finding our way back26:33 – Yard work is therapy now? Sure is.28:01 – Getting out of our heads and into our bodies29:21 – Our burnout stories (the messy kind)32:17 – Learning to live within our limits43:37 – “Ohhh… THAT was burnout”: Early signs47:55 – Generational Perspectives on Mental Health49:28 – JOY SHARE! What’s lighting us up right now53:21 – Final thoughts

In Part 2 of this two-part Chin Hairs and F-Bombs series, SallyAnn and Lynne continue exploring their ADHD journeys, focusing on life after receiving their diagnoses. They discuss the practical tools and strategies that have significantly improved their daily lives, such as body doubling, visual reminders, and digital organization tools. They share their personal experiences with ADHD medication, highlighting both the challenges and benefits. SallyAnn and Lynne also celebrate the often-overlooked positive aspects of having ADHD! Filled with relatable stories, practical advice, and encouragement, this episode offers helpful insights for anyone managing ADHD or supporting loved ones who are.00:00 Introduction and Recap00:42 Effective Support Strategies02:27 The Power of Body Doubling06:05 Visual Reminders and Habit Stacking11:39 Medication Experiences18:44 Reflecting on ADHD Diagnosis20:12 Realizing ADHD in High Achievers20:49 The Power of Self-Diagnosis22:04 The Impact of Medication23:10 Embracing the Creative Brain26:06 Journaling and Tracking Progress31:17 Sharing Joys and Self-Care34:57 Concluding Thoughts on ADHD

In this episode of Chin Hairs and F-Bombs, SallyAnn and her friend Lynne open up about their journeys with ADHD, focusing on the challenges of being diagnosed as adults. In Part 1 of this two-part series, they dive into their experiences with ADHD symptoms, including difficulty focusing, time blindness, and sensory overload. They share the struggles they faced before receiving an official diagnosis and the immense relief and clarity that came afterward. SallyAnn and Lynne also discuss the importance of self-diagnosis, practical coping strategies, and the need for self-compassion when managing ADHD as adults. Tune in for an honest and relatable conversation about navigating life with ADHD.

In this episode of Chin Hairs and F-bombs: Conversations with Girlfriends, host SallyAnn reconnects with longtime friend Deb to talk about the challenges of building friendships as an adult. SallyAnn, who left Kansas City for Maine, and Deb, a retired nurse now based in Colorado, share their personal experiences and tips for finding community in unfamiliar territory. They highlight the importance of spontaneity, discuss what it takes to form meaningful bonds and celebrate the joys of lifelong companionship.00:00 Introductions01:05 Childhood Memories and Long-Lasting Friendship03:01 Challenges of Making Friends as Adults04:05 Deb's Retirement and New Beginnings09:34 Sally's Move to Maine and Isolation13:01 Finding Community and Making Connections18:32 Balancing Social Life and Personal Time22:37 Advice on Making New Friends24:00 The Importance of Being Open to Opportunities26:37 Maintaining Long-Distance Friendships29:24 The Pain of Losing Friendships33:17 Cherishing Deep Platonic Friendships35:30 A Heartwarming Story38:10 Reflections on Retirement and Friendships39:16 Joy Share and Closing Remarks

In this episode of Chin Hairs and F-bombs, guests Barbara Evans and Monique Garrett join host SallyAnn Gray to uncover the realities of life as a middle-aged woman, tackling the often-overlooked "Invisible Woman Syndrome." Together, they share candid stories about aging, the shifting dynamics of professional life, and how societal perceptions evolve as women navigate perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. The conversation is a heartfelt exploration of self-perception, resilience, and the freedom that comes with letting go of societal expectations. Plus, don't miss their "Joy Share" segment, where these friends celebrate the simple things that bring them happiness, reminding us of the power of connection and community. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:44 Meet the Guests: Monique and Barbara04:18 Virtual Coffee Connections07:11 Invisible Woman Syndrome10:16 Personal Experiences of Invisibility19:49 Benefits of Invisibility26:07 Navigating Professional Challenges for Women28:48 The Struggles of Middle-Aged Job Seekers30:55 Embracing Personal Style and Liberation35:12 The Journey to Going Gray39:22 Understanding Menopause and Aging44:23 Final Thoughts and Joy Share

In this episode, SallyAnn Gray and her dear friend Emily examine the concept of Direct Primary Care (DPC) versus the traditional healthcare system. They discuss the advantages of DPC, focusing on quality, preventative care, and direct access to doctors, alongside candid personal experiences that highlight frustrations with conventional healthcare practices. The episode explores the issues of misdiagnoses, lack of personalized care, and systemic problems within traditional healthcare systems, proposing DPC as a more compassionate and individualized alternative. The conversation also touches on the friends' personal lives and ends with a heartfelt reflection on the importance of finding joy amid life's challenges.00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:33 Meet Emily: A Familiar Voice00:53 What is Direct Primary Care?01:04 About the Podcast05:35 Direct Primary Care Explained14:58 Personal Experiences with Traditional Healthcare20:38 Switching to Direct Primary Care31:39 Finding the Right Doctor35:39 The Hassle of Traditional Healthcare37:11 Frustrations with Misdiagnoses40:54 The Broken Healthcare System42:36 The Benefits of Direct Primary Care50:51 Story Time: The Water Bottle Incident55:40 Joy Share: Finding Positivity in Tough Times01:02:47 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude