Trich Talks! | Podcast on RSS.com

Trich Talks!

by Barbara Lally

Self-Improvement Personal Journals

Season 6

Interviewing Leanne Christian

Leanne Christian (@thoughtfully_human) is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina with a special interest in working with people with body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), including skin picking and hair pulling. She also lives with a BFRB herself, giving her a unique perspective as both a clinician and someone with lived experience. Leanne’s work with BFRBs grew from noticing how often clients would disclose picking or pulling only after they felt safe enough to talk about it. She became interested in the gap between knowing a BFRB is a problem and actually having the space, tools, and support to address it. Her approach is grounded in compassion, awareness, acceptance, and curiosity rather than shame or perfection. She helps clients understand the functions and patterns behind their BFRBs and build practical, individualized toolboxes of skills they can practice in everyday life. Through her practice and educational work, Leanne is creating accessible tools, exercises, and short-form resources designed to make BFRB support feel less intimidating to begin—and to remind people that their BFRB deserves attention and care, even when it isn’t the most important thing happening in their lives. — You’re probably here because you too live with trichotillomania or another BFRB. What if I told you there was an online community just for us that I’m also a part of? Let me introduce you to the HabitAware Collective, a safe and supportive place where people with BFRBs feel successful in their journeys. The HabitAware Collective offers daily accountability, two support groups each week, webinars led by experts, among other amazing resources. Learn more by visiting habitaware.com/community today Aneela Idnani, the muse and co-founder of HabitAware and my incredible boss, released her memoir, Aneela, Where Are Your Eyebrows? This year. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy and I truly believe it is something you should read too. You will feel seen in these pages, quite possibly, for the first time ever. Get your copy of Aneela, Where Are Your Eyebrows today by visiting habitaware.com/memoir

Interviewing Samantha Adler

In this episode of Trich Talks, Barbara sits down with Samantha, administrator of the NYC Trich Support Group, to talk about her personal journey with hair pulling and the powerful role that community has played along the way. From attending her first support group meeting as the youngest person in the room, to now finding herself right in the middle—and serving as the group’s administrator—Samantha shares how far she’s come, what the support group has meant to her, and why finding a community that understands can make such a difference. — Living with a BFRB isn’t about willpower, it’s about awareness.The Keen2 by HabitAware gently vibrates to help you notice pulling or picking in the moment, so you can pause and choose what comes next. It’s not about stopping perfectly — it’s about building awareness with compassion. If you’ve been looking for a tool that supports you without shame, the Keen2 can be a powerful place to start. Use code LallyLove at checkout to save 10% on your Keen2 when you visit barbaralally.com/habitaware today. You don’t have to navigate BFRBs alone. HabitAware’s peer coaching connects you with someone who truly understands what it’s like to live with a BFRB because they’ve been there too. Peer coaches offer guidance, encouragement, and real-life strategies rooted in lived experience, not judgment. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for extra support, peer coaching can help you feel seen, understood, and supported on your journey. Visit habitaware.com/coaching today.

Interviewing Hania Kulakowska

In this episode of Trich Talks, Barbara sits down with Hania to hear her honest and inspiring story of living with trichotillomania. Hania shares how her experience with hair pulling began and how, through that journey, she discovered a passion for hair that sparked her dream of becoming a hairdresser. It’s a story of turning a challenging experience into a meaningful path forward. — Living with a BFRB isn’t about willpower, it’s about awareness.The Keen2 by HabitAware gently vibrates to help you notice pulling or picking in the moment, so you can pause and choose what comes next. It’s not about stopping perfectly — it’s about building awareness with compassion. If you’ve been looking for a tool that supports you without shame, the Keen2 can be a powerful place to start. Use code LallyLove at checkout to save 10% on your Keen2 when you visit barbaralally.com/habitaware today. You don’t have to navigate BFRBs alone. HabitAware’s peer coaching connects you with someone who truly understands what it’s like to live with a BFRB because they’ve been there too. Peer coaches offer guidance, encouragement, and real-life strategies rooted in lived experience, not judgment. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for extra support, peer coaching can help you feel seen, understood, and supported on your journey. Visit habitaware.com/coaching today.

Interviewing Heidi Cunningham Part 3

In this episode of Trich Talks, Barbara sits down with Heidi (@thelifeofatrichster) to talk honestly about relapse, recovery, and what it means to keep showing up for yourself. After nearly five years of being pull-free, Heidi recently experienced a relapse. Together, they explore the emotions that can come with returning to pulling after such a long period of time and how Heidi is choosing to move forward with self-compassion instead of shame. Heidi shares how she is bouncing back, reconnecting with herself, and continuing to show up not only for her own recovery, but for the BFRB community she cares so deeply about. This conversation is an important reminder that a relapse does not erase your progress, your growth, or everything you’ve learned along the way. Healing isn’t about being perfect. It’s about continuing to show up. — Living with a BFRB isn’t about willpower, it’s about awareness.The Keen2 by HabitAware gently vibrates to help you notice pulling or picking in the moment, so you can pause and choose what comes next. It’s not about stopping perfectly — it’s about building awareness with compassion. If you’ve been looking for a tool that supports you without shame, the Keen2 can be a powerful place to start. Use code LallyLove at checkout to save 10% on your Keen2 when you visit barbaralally.com/habitaware today. You don’t have to navigate BFRBs alone. HabitAware’s peer coaching connects you with someone who truly understands what it’s like to live with a BFRB because they’ve been there too. Peer coaches offer guidance, encouragement, and real-life strategies rooted in lived experience, not judgment. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for extra support, peer coaching can help you feel seen, understood, and supported on your journey. Visit habitaware.com/coaching today.

My Eyelash Journey: History & Current Update

In this episode of Trich Talks, host Barbara takes a deep dive into the history of her eyelash pulling—from how it all began after pulling her eyebrows as a child to the specific sensory triggers like "sharp" growing lashes that make it so challenging. Barbara walks listeners through her journey from ages 10 to present day, sharing the tools that have helped her along the way, including liquid eyeliner, fake lashes, and support groups. She also gives an honest, real-time update on a recent intense pulling episode that caught her off guard for the first time in 20 years. Rather than letting shame take over, Barbara shares how she uses self-compassion, awareness, and a big-picture mindset to reassess her management strategies, offering reassurance to anyone navigating their own BFRB journey. — Living with a BFRB isn’t about willpower, it’s about awareness.The Keen2 by HabitAware gently vibrates to help you notice pulling or picking in the moment, so you can pause and choose what comes next. It’s not about stopping perfectly — it’s about building awareness with compassion. If you’ve been looking for a tool that supports you without shame, the Keen2 can be a powerful place to start. Use code LallyLove at checkout to save 10% on your Keen2 when you visit barbaralally.com/habitaware today. You don’t have to navigate BFRBs alone. HabitAware’s peer coaching connects you with someone who truly understands what it’s like to live with a BFRB because they’ve been there too. Peer coaches offer guidance, encouragement, and real-life strategies rooted in lived experience, not judgment. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for extra support, peer coaching can help you feel seen, understood, and supported on your journey. Visit habitaware.com/coaching today.

Ranking Our Top 10 "Trich Tax" Items with Sara Cannon

In this episode of Trich Talks, Barbara sits down with her close friend Sara (@saracannonportraits) for a lighthearted, honest conversation about the hidden financial costs of living with hair pulling. They each share their top 10 items—from least to most expensive. Some of their items may surprise you! Sara shares the origin story behind coining the phrase "Trich Tax," breaking down how recognizing these unpredictable out-of-pocket expenses helped shift her perspective from shame to self-compassion. Together, Barbara and Sara reflect on the practical tools and comfort items that have genuinely made a difference in their healing journeys, offering listeners a space filled with validation, shared understanding, and a few laughs along the way. — Living with a BFRB isn’t about willpower, it’s about awareness.The Keen2 by HabitAware gently vibrates to help you notice pulling or picking in the moment, so you can pause and choose what comes next. It’s not about stopping perfectly — it’s about building awareness with compassion. If you’ve been looking for a tool that supports you without shame, the Keen2 can be a powerful place to start. Use code LallyLove at checkout to save 10% on your Keen2 when you visit barbaralally.com/habitaware today. You don’t have to navigate BFRBs alone. HabitAware’s peer coaching connects you with someone who truly understands what it’s like to live with a BFRB because they’ve been there too. Peer coaches offer guidance, encouragement, and real-life strategies rooted in lived experience, not judgment. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for extra support, peer coaching can help you feel seen, understood, and supported on your journey. Visit habitaware.com/coaching today.

Your Questions, My Answers

In this episode of Trich Talks, Barbara sits down to answer community Qs. No gatekeeping here—check out the full list of questions covered in today's show below! How often do you pull? I notice that I pull more when my period is close. What do you think about the poor representation of BFRBs in the movies? How did you start feeling comfortable sharing that you have trichotillomania? It’s only been a year and I am 16. Will it get better? Will it stay with me forever? Is there any way to end it? Will my eyelashes grow back? Any experience with trich getting better post surgery? Do you think trich could ever be cured? What’s the best book you’ve read this year? Current song obsession? Have a question of your own? Send Barbara a DM on Instagram or keep an eye on Barbara’s Stories for the next Q&A prompt! — Living with a BFRB isn’t about willpower, it’s about awareness.The Keen2 by HabitAware gently vibrates to help you notice pulling or picking in the moment, so you can pause and choose what comes next. It’s not about stopping perfectly — it’s about building awareness with compassion. If you’ve been looking for a tool that supports you without shame, the Keen2 can be a powerful place to start. Use code LallyLove at checkout to save 10% on your Keen2 when you visit barbaralally.com/habitaware today. You don’t have to navigate BFRBs alone. HabitAware’s peer coaching connects you with someone who truly understands what it’s like to live with a BFRB because they’ve been there too. Peer coaches offer guidance, encouragement, and real-life strategies rooted in lived experience, not judgment. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for extra support, peer coaching can help you feel seen, understood, and supported on your journey. Visit habitaware.com/coaching today.

Interviewing Salome Maisuradze

Sally (@_sallyval_) is an advocate and BFRB warrior from the country of Georgia. Living with both trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder) and trichophagia (hair swallowing), Sally uses her lived experience to raise awareness and foster international connection within the body-focused repetitive behavior community. By speaking candidly about the emotional and physical aspects of her diagnosis, she aims to shatter the surrounding stigma and offer hope to others navigating similar struggles worldwide. — Living with a BFRB isn’t about willpower, it’s about awareness.The Keen2 by HabitAware gently vibrates to help you notice pulling or picking in the moment, so you can pause and choose what comes next. It’s not about stopping perfectly — it’s about building awareness with compassion. If you’ve been looking for a tool that supports you without shame, the Keen2 can be a powerful place to start. Use code LallyLove at checkout to save 10% on your Keen2 when you visit barbaralally.com/habitaware today. You don’t have to navigate BFRBs alone. HabitAware’s peer coaching connects you with someone who truly understands what it’s like to live with a BFRB because they’ve been there too. Peer coaches offer guidance, encouragement, and real-life strategies rooted in lived experience, not judgment. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for extra support, peer coaching can help you feel seen, understood, and supported on your journey. Visit habitaware.com/coaching today.

From Conference High to Post-Event Crash: My Honest IOCDF Reflection

Have you ever noticed that your pulling or picking completely vanishes while you're away, only to hit like a tidal wave the second you walk through your front door? In this episode of Trich Talks, host Barbara reflects on her recent trip to the Annual IOCDF Conference in Seattle. She shares her favorite highlights from the weekend—including the pure joy of meeting long-time online community friends in real life. But Barbara doesn't just stop at the high of the conference. She gets raw and honest about the "post-conference crash." Barbara decodes the highly predictable pattern of why we experience a surge of pulling urges the moment we return to our familiar environments. More importantly, she shares her actionable "Post-Event Transition Plan" to help you the next time you return home. Whether you are transitioning back from a vacation, a work trip, or just a busy weekend, this episode is a gentle reminder that a relapse isn't a failure—it's just data. — Living with a BFRB isn’t about willpower, it’s about awareness.The Keen2 by HabitAware gently vibrates to help you notice pulling or picking in the moment, so you can pause and choose what comes next. It’s not about stopping perfectly — it’s about building awareness with compassion. If you’ve been looking for a tool that supports you without shame, the Keen2 can be a powerful place to start. Use code LallyLove at checkout to save 10% on your Keen2 when you visit barbaralally.com/habitaware today. You don’t have to navigate BFRBs alone. HabitAware’s peer coaching connects you with someone who truly understands what it’s like to live with a BFRB because they’ve been there too. Peer coaches offer guidance, encouragement, and real-life strategies rooted in lived experience, not judgment. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for extra support, peer coaching can help you feel seen, understood, and supported on your journey. Visit habitaware.com/coaching today.

Interviewing Thea Bryan

For years, Thea Bryan (@jazzwinebook) kept her hair pulling a secret—even from her best friend of over 40 years. As a mental health professional working in recovery, she understands the power of compassion, healing, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. After trying countless approaches and continuing to explore new options, including minoxidil and TMS therapy, Thea is now sharing her journey in hopes of helping others feel less alone and encouraging more informed, compassionate support. — Living with a BFRB isn’t about willpower, it’s about awareness.The Keen2 by HabitAware gently vibrates to help you notice pulling or picking in the moment, so you can pause and choose what comes next. It’s not about stopping perfectly — it’s about building awareness with compassion. If you’ve been looking for a tool that supports you without shame, the Keen2 can be a powerful place to start. Use code LallyLove at checkout to save 10% on your Keen2 when you visit barbaralally.com/habitaware today. You don’t have to navigate BFRBs alone. HabitAware’s peer coaching connects you with someone who truly understands what it’s like to live with a BFRB because they’ve been there too. Peer coaches offer guidance, encouragement, and real-life strategies rooted in lived experience, not judgment. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for extra support, peer coaching can help you feel seen, understood, and supported on your journey. Visit habitaware.com/coaching today.

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