I love my parents—but wow, have I spent a lot of my life trying to prove myself to them. From crying over a 99.5% in Grade 2 (because apparently half a percent was the end of the world) to hustling so my mom wouldn’t think I was “lazy,” I turned proving myself into a full-time job. Spoiler: it’s exhausting, and honestly, unpaid internships have better benefits.

In this episode, I unpack how that pressure shaped me, why I stopped sharing my test scores with my dad (protect your peace, kids), and how awkward but honest communication actually healed a lot of old wounds. Along the way, I’ll share the biggest lesson I’ve learned: you don’t need to audition for your parents’ approval—you already got the part.

If you’ve ever felt like your life was one big talent show for your parents, this episode is your permission slip to step off stage and just be.

And next week? My mom joins me for the first-ever Liv Long episode, which should be equal parts heartfelt and slightly chaotic.