In this episode of In The Blood, AC and Jason explore how society places different expectations on women and men—pressuring women to be visually perfect, and men to be mentally unshakable. They discuss how these standards show up in everyday life, where they come from, and the emotional toll they take.

The conversation includes a challenging question: is the stigma around men’s emotional struggles even more difficult to address than the pressure women face to look a certain way? With honesty and nuance, AC and Jason unpack the cost of perfection, the gendered assumptions we rarely question, and how we might begin letting go of expectations that were never fair to begin with.

Friendships don’t just happen—they require care, effort, and intentionality. In this episode, Jason and AC explore what it really takes to build and maintain strong platonic relationships. We discuss the importance of checking in with friends in meaningful ways, engaging in shared experiences, and becoming better listeners.

Beyond that, we reflect on our own roles in friendships—how we show up for others, how we navigate conflict, and why small gestures of appreciation matter. We also emphasize the balance between deep conversations and lighthearted moments, because strong friendships are built on both connection and fun.

Whether you're looking to strengthen an old friendship or be more intentional in new ones, this episode offers practical insights on making relationships more meaningful.

Listen now and join the conversation!

Ever had something go completely wrong at the worst possible moment? That’s exactly what happened when Jason and I recorded what we thought was an amazing episode—only to have the file corrupted beyond repair.

Instead of throwing in the towel, I’m using this moment to talk about mindfulness in the face of disappointment.