Ep. 168: Banana Fires, Mental Health Wins, and Why Empathy Isn’t Weak

In this episode of Life Talks with Lauren, we’re talking about everything from flaming bananas to personal breakthroughs. Yes, you read that right—my boyfriend lit a banana on fire, set off the fire alarm, and the fire department actually showed up. It’s funny now... but it definitely wasn’t at the time.

I’m also opening up about my mental health journey lately—how things have been improving, what’s been helping, and why a simple girls' day out turned out to be exactly the healing energy I needed. Sometimes laughter, connection, and a little martini therapy are just what the soul ordered.

And because we don’t shy away from real talk here, I’m also sharing my take on Elon Musk’s recent comment that empathy is a weakness. (Spoiler: I couldn’t disagree more.) Let’s talk about why empathy is actually a superpower—and how it can change how we lead, connect, and show up in the world.

Grab your tea (or your fire extinguisher 😅) and let’s dive in.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🔥 The hilarious (and slightly terrifying) story of the flaming banana incident
🧠 An honest update on my mental health and what’s been working
👯‍♀️ The healing magic of quality time with your girls
💭 My thoughts on Elon Musk’s “empathy is a weakness” take—and why I see it so differently
💖 A reminder that softness is strength, and connection is power

Let’s Connect:
Instagram: @laurenmkepler