Used to love this pod but I guess that when they don’t get what they want, but what over half of America DOES want, they just can’t do life. It’s all moping and whining. Like grow up. You have kids. What a terrible example.

I am a huge podcast fan, my phone only has podcasts and 1gb of music, so I really rely on podcasts for entertainment. I really like the content of this podcast, but the ad section really took away from the show. I am all about having ads to make money, but the ad section made me forget what the hosts were even talking about. I kept thinking they were going back to the show, but it was another ad. Unfortunately I think it has deterred me from continuing to listen, but I hope they find a solution because I see I am not the only one that has been bothered by it.

Wow, the episode from 10/23/2024 had FIFTEEN MINUTES worth of ads. And it was a Mini-Ep! 🙄 28 minutes of actual podcast content, but 43 minutes total with ads. 🤯 I do think Elise is a huge upgrade from Kate. Earlier review: Pro-tip: You can tell how many minutes of each episode are ad content by looking at the run times both before and after you start playing an episode. For example, it will display “43 minutes” before hitting play, then jumps up to like 56 minutes after it starts playing. Please cut down on ad time by just doing a straight ad read, not adding conversational embellishment to every single ad. I get that they want to be engaging with the ads, it those who don’t want to listen aren’t going to listen to an ad just because it’s conversational. Their conversations are slow enough as it is. Please respect your listeners’ time. Also, I pay for other podcasts, but $10 a month is on the high end! 😬

I’m a long-time listener and have always enjoyed the banter and variety of guests. I miss Kate but it seems like Elise has brightened Doree’s spirits a bit. But mostly just came here to say….NINE FULL MINUTES of ads in the middle of today’s (10/23) episode?! This podcast has always had a lot of ads – and I get that they’re a necessary evil – but 15 minutes (I just counted) of a 43-minute episode is truly unbelievable.

Long time fan and fan of the new cohost. That said, the ads - quantity and length- are way too much. Good for you for selling that many I suppose, but it’s a now chore to get to the content.

Looking at all the other reviews who mention this, clearly the length of the ads is not just bothering me. Wake up, they are WAY too long. Understand you need to make a living somehow but it’s seriously obscene how much ad time you play. If you want to retain quality listeners, you cannot expect them to listen submissively to 15 minutes of ads for a 45 minute podcast. It’s honestly disrespectful to the listeners and the time we are deliberately spending here each week. If the episodes were well planned out and the discussions less rambling and pointless, then perhaps I wouldn’t mind so much. But the content!! What has happened?! There are so many enormous sighs and heavy pauses and long drawn out words, it’s like Doree is deliberately trying to make up for lost time by talking slowly and counting seconds in the silence. There is just no reason for that. Even Elise’s energy cannot save this pod from the Doree doldrums. The episodes wander and meander and I wonder if they even thought about what they were going to say in advance or if it’s just as poorly planned as it sounds. I wish I could find a point to the episodes: anything, that makes it worth listening to. The most interesting content I’ve heard so far is the write-ins from other listeners, which is relied upon HEAVILY to make up for the other lack of content in the episodes. And Doree, please for the love of God find something that makes you happy because clearly, this is not it. You are such a bummer.

Listened since the beginning and while sad for Kate to go I am loving the new energy and Elise! Hope you are all feeling reinvigorated too! (Kate included!)

I love this show. Of course I miss Kate so much. Her horsegirl/rom com author vibe was so fun!l Elise has great energy that adds lots of value and freshness. Also, the underlying themes are the same! Stay true to yourself and chase your own things, practices, and reads that bring you joy. Also, don’t feel guilty about not doing that the “right way”. I love that they answered a Q directly related to the 9-5 set and enjoying/making the most of their summer. It would be great to hear from people not always selling books (though I love all the recs).

Sorry to hear Kate is departing

Kate and Doree are fun and I truly enjoy listening to them. I would like it if they would have a more diverse range of guests in terms of the reason they’re on the pod. It seems like the only reason they ever have guests on is to promote their books and they don’t talk to anyone who is not an author. Not all of us are writers and not all of us have the work from home lifestyle. It would be nice to see that represented. My favorite are the product recall episodes! BUT-y’all I have misophonia and just cannot tolerate the sniffling and hacking into the microphone. if Doree is sick just for the love of God don’t record until she is able to record without a phlegmy cough or severe congestion. It is OK to be sick and actually take a few days or a week off. Practice what you preach! She sounded so sick in the episodes this week. I do agree with others about the ads. I would shorten the intro (where to find you blah blah) and cut out a lot of ads.

Love this pod!

As other reviewers have noted, this podcast has gone downhill. I’ve been listening for about 5 years and I didn’t sign up for the paid podcast on Patreon when it was introduced. I realize they need to make a living but are they saving the good stuff for the listeners who paid for content? It doesn’t sound like it based on other reviews.

I have been listening to this show from the beginning and I love it! BUT the ads have gotten ridiculous at this point. I think they are longer than the actual content. Plus they also spend time every podcast reviewing their website, where to contact them, Patreon etc. I don’t think any other podcast I listen to goes into this much detail every single episode. Anyway I understand they need to make a living and I’m okay with ads in general in my podcasts but it’s starting to go too far here which is making me consider unfollowing. I even looked up the Patreon but $10 a month for no ads is too much for me. Very sad because I do love Kate and doree! Will continue to read their books and support in other ways.

Love these ladies…they’re so positive and thoughtful, and best of all entertaining!

The only podcast I have ever listened to that has over 5 mins before it starts!

I used to love this podcast. The ads have been steadily increasing for awhile now. This latest episode I think we’ve finally hit the point where the ads are longer than the content. It’s ridiculous to listen to.

I have been a listener since the beginning of the pod and have truly loved it. However, the number of ads are just out of control. I have never listened to a podcast with so many advertisements, it makes me not want to listen as much. I thought the pateron would help limit the number of ads but I guess not.

I used to love this pod and tuned in today for the first time in about a year. Wow. Kate’s energy is still there, but Doree’s flat, chipped replies are uncomfortable to listen to. I just listened to the episode with Becca Freeman and Doree sounds like she’d rather be anywhere else. Such a bummer.

After not listening for a while, I listened to an episode for the guest. The hosts used their intro time to complain about millennials. Ma’am, millennials are 35. Might be time to rebrand “Forever 50”

I’m so sad that my formerly favorite podcast has completely gone downhill. I would’ve absolutely paid for the patreon when I first started listening during the pandemic but the content has gone so downhill. Doree and Kate need to move on to something new because they clearly aren’t into it anymore.

Feels low energy and monotone, not for me

Review

It’s sad that I have to change my glowing review that I left many moons ago when this podcast was first started. I might have taken a few months off but… what happened? all of a sudden this selfcare sanctuary turned into an oc rewatching podcast ?? and the hope that an old school chitchat episode turns into a cliff hanger tease for their Patreon??

I’m sorry to be writing this review because this used to be my favorite podcast. I loved the self care talk and the banter they had. The Facebook groups that came from this community have been so helpful to me in many many ways. However, I get such a low energy vibe these days from the hosts. You can tell they are not in it anymore which is so unfortunate. I understand the need to monetize the pod more with a move to Patreon, which I would subscribe to if the content was worth it, unfortunately, I think it’s gone so downhill, I don’t see the need to pay for it. Over the past couple years, Doree has gotten more and more negative/condescending toward Kate and I feel like Kate walks on eggshells. I love Kate’s humor and her energy it just seems like Doree talks down to her. I’ve thought this for awhile and just chalked it up to a bad day but it’s constant now. The heart of the show isn’t there anymore, I miss the fun chitchat and focus on self care. I’m looking for a pod to replace it as a feel good pod to help me start my day on a positive note as this one used to do. Side note - if Kate started her own, I would be so into that!

I’m so unhappy with the new model, and how you left all your FB pages and abandoned the admin who put in work for years. Dory always sounds grouchy so hopefully the extra money is helping her out with that.

While I understand the importance of making money, nothing is left for those on us who don’t have means to pay. I always appreciated Kat & Dor’s interview skills and insights to listener email questions. I wish they could reconsider! 😢

I’m not sure where my beloved podcast has gone. I’ve been a loyal, die-hard listener for 5 years, and in the last year this pod has kind of gone downhill. I can totally appreciate their move to Patreon content (surprised they didn’t do this a long time ago) - but now the free version is literally a subpar version of their original podcast (no guests (yet?), no listen questions?) with constant discussion about joining Patreon. It seems the hosts have lost their way a bit, and have lost touch with what drove listeners here in the first place. Right now I am a little at a loss at *what* this current podcast is really about?

I am so embarrassed that I didn’t start listening to this podcast until this year (2023). It is so good! Someone bought me Doree’s book, Thanks for Waiting, and then I ended up listening to her read her audiobook. In the last few chapters, Doree talks all about her amazing friendship with Kate and how this podcast was born. Hooray!! I love listening to them chat (they sound so much like my friends and I) and I relate with so much they talk about (getting married later in life, loneliness, figuring out jobs, etc.). As a librarian, I appreciate the interviews with authors (I heart Samantha Irby!!) and talking about books, but also really relate how sometimes it’s just hard to justify my own self care as a childless woman in her forties. Thank you, thank you, Kate and Doree for making me feel like I have a space to not feel ashamed or guilty for taking time for me. You both are so good for humanity!

I used to love this show. I used to look forward to new episodes. For the past 6 months or so I’ve marked all of them as played and skipped right past. I can’t even make it through an episode anymore. The amount of ads is crazy! I listen to tons of podcasts and none of them have the amount of ads this one has. The topics are no longer interesting. I can’t stand to hear about the self absorbed hosts lives anymore. They are so out of touch. Good luck with the Patreon platform, I hope it helps you achieve your goals. I for one have decided to unfollow the show.

I want to preface what I am about to write that these gals are GREAT interviewers however after listening to D and K throughout the years I have grown to become way more interested in what THEY have to say compared to a guest of the pod. Whether its their advice or their opinions or their personal life (what they are willing to share) so I am LOVING the first episode of this new format (ep 7/3) and looking forward to whats to come!

I have been a listener of Forever 35 since the very beginning but I am extremely disappointed in how they handled the recent shift of Facebook communities to discord, which included no acknowledgement of the years of unpaid labor from the moderators to grow the Forever 35 community. Their decision to monetize a community built by unpaid labor that has supported their growth flies in the face of every comment they’ve made about privilege and community. I will no longer be listening.

The hosts built their brand on a volunteer-run community, and recently hung them out to dry. I feel sad I have recommended this podcast to so many people. The podcasts themselves are no longer as interesting or entertaining as they once were. Wouldn’t recommend it.

UPDATE 6/2023: I am disappointed in Kate and Doree’s decision to move to a paid Discord model over keeping the Facebook groups. Discord doesn’t work like FB does in the way of threading, and is more suited for DM-style conversation. Furthermore, making a community that is paid will alter the type of voices you have in that community, and as a group who once was great about being aware inclusion, equity, etc., being two white women abandoning the unpaid FB community for a paid Discord feels… incongruent with what I thought were their values. On top of this, they showed little to no appreciation for the FB moderation team during this announcement. I’m not a mod myself, but I feel that those folks on FB doing that unpaid mod labor getting the news at the same time I did would’ve been a slap in the face. All that work to prop up K&D’s brand with no thank you?? Are K&D just going to mod their own Discord echo chamber for women who can pay?

it’s a great listen but I’ve never listened to a podcast with more ads. Sometimes it makes me want to stop listening because it interrupts to content so much. 6 minutes of ads in the middle of the episode!!

I have been listening happily for years but your episode with Virginia Sole Smith was really disappointing. When far and away all the medical literature and scientific literature points in one direction, it feels irresponsible to give her a platform without a counter perspective. This feels like the equivalent of giving the microphone to an anti-vaxxer.

I look forward to every episode (and I honestly don’t even really know what a serum is nor do I have much of a skincare routine). Just adore listening to these two friends and all the things they talk about—which is SO much more than skincare and makeup!— along with the the audience engagement and lovely guests ❤️

I really wanted to love this podcast, but politics is peppered into the conversation and I need an escape during the day.

I have been listening for years and finally today I unfollowed and deleted my downloads. I really wish Kate would branch out and do her own pod. Doree is so self-absorbed and gives off big bully energy. Already too much of that in the world.

My BFF recommended this podcast and I’m hooked! It’s great hearing women talk about real life things! I’m glad I’m not the only one why shelves full of skincare products! It’s funny, enjoyable and encouraging!

I listen to it every night as the soundtrack to my wind down, get-ready-for-bed routine. Their voices are soothing and the content is comforting. There’s a good mix of discussion about current products on the market, interviews with professionals, and nostalgic journeys into the popular products market of the 90s-00s! I love this podcast so much!

I used to love this pod so much and they truly got me through some difficult times AND helped me find joy in self care. That being said… 1) I don’t mind the ads, though they can be annoying. I still just skip through 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2)Doree is SO PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE AND CONDESCENDING! Her attitude didn’t used to be like this in the first year or two of the pod, but it’s become hard to listen to her reactions to Kate. And I wish Kate would call it out since I feel like they talk a lot about mental health and healthy communication? 3) They don’t seem genuinely excited to chat about products anymore. Hearing ppl talk about products is my ASMR and part of why I subscribed, and I get that capitalism and materialism are not good for the planet and people. But then…maybe you aren’t two hosts who like to talk a lot about serums? Because it seems like (Doree especially) could care less. Which is fine, but maybe the focus should change then.

I get it that the ads pay the bills. However, they are detracting from the pod and the spirit and messaging of the pod. There is a lot of chat on your pod about simplifying, cutting back, and getting away from all the consumerism but then the ads are just going against that ethos. And there are so.many.ads. Also if someone is excited to listen to the pod, when they press play, instead of hearing the Forever 35 jingle and our favorite hosts, we get five minutes of scripted ads that just don’t align with the pod message before even hearing the intro. I’ll bet many are willing to support you via patreon for an ad-free experience. Please consider this!

Good chat, if a bit tired at this stage of the pod, and so many ads it’s become unlistenable.

I started listening years ago shortly after the pod launched and loved the pod! Some really interesting guests and loved the host banter. However, there are so many ads now (think 5 full min at the beginning plus multiple other 2+ min ad breaks in every ep) that I’ve had to take it out of my rotation.

I’m a longtime listener, but this podcast used to be so much better. Episodes now have 5 minutes of ads before they even start. I understand the need to have ads on a free podcast, but it’s gotten to the point where I don’t want to listen anymore.

I have been a listener from Day 1 and often called this “my pod” to friends. I enjoyed the light hearted promotion of the idea of taking pride in self care, but it has all changed. There are three major things that have soured me of late: 1) the intolerance of any political or social viewpoints than the hosts’ own… or their intolerance for any reviews that might not be favorable when they tout acceptance of all people and viewpoints 2) the hosts seem so much under the heavy influence of advertisers and companies that send them free merchandise that they no longer share personal product experiences (thus contradicting their proclaimed “hatred” of capitalism) 3) the increase of condescending comments and general lack of conversation by “ummmm… (laughter)” Doree I know people evolve, and I support listening to those with differing views to help form my own opinion, however when I do not feel the same respect of the hosts towards others with alternate viewpoints, it’s no longer bearable.

My absolute favorite podcast. It is truly the ultimate self care podcast, and I’m not just talking about skin care.

Two of my favorite voices to listen too. No matter what they talk about, I always love the back and forth. This is one of my favorite podcasts to listen to when relaxing. 😊

I started listening to this podcast after listening to Doree’s audiobook for Thanks for Waiting. I always find it light and entertaining, but more recently the podcast is just conversation without a lot of content.

I look forward to this podcast and there are definitely times I wish it was published every day. I find it soothing. I can listen to it when I’m doing somewhat mindless tasks at work or home, yet it’s interesting enough that I feel like I learn a little something every time. Also some of these negative reviews…you need to maybe take a step back and look at your parasocial relationships. I’m not understanding the speculation on the hosts’ friendship whatsoever. Comments on politics …they have not hidden their views on that from the very beginning. Come on, Gen X writer/journalists living in LA?? What we’re you expecting. Anyway. Love the pod!