Best of 2024

Summary

Everything is Fine: Best of 2024 - Episode Summary

Hosted by Jennifer Romolini and Kim France

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Introduction

In the “Best of 2024” episode of Everything is Fine, hosts Jennifer Romolini and Kim France reflect on the highlights and lowlights of the past year. They delve into their favorite movies, TV shows, books, personal experiences, and the items they purchased, offering insightful and relatable commentary tailored for women navigating life over 40.

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Reflecting on 2024

Jennifer Romolini begins by acknowledging the main takeaways from the year:

“I felt looking back over the year, first of all, the headline was watch too much TV in a year. That wasn't even that great for TV. Read too few books. Yeah, that's the headline.” [02:28]

Contrastingly, Kim France highlights her positive experiences:

“I did a lot of things this year. I saw a lot of people. I traveled a lot because of the book. Like, I actually had a lot of, like, really amazing moments in the year. Saw a lot, saw friends, you know, saw people I love.” [02:44]

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Movies of 2024

The discussion shifts to movies, where both hosts share their viewing habits and preferences.

Kim shares her surprise at watching fewer movies due to theaters reopening:

“I was shocked by how few movies I actually saw. And I realized it's because movies are back in theaters and you have to actually go see them.” [03:37]

Jennifer lists the films she enjoyed:

“The Fall Guy with Ryan Gosling I thought was like an incredibly fun action movie... I saw a movie called Dee Dee. I saw it with my kid, but it's a coming of age movie set in the 90s and I loved that.” [05:26]

They also discuss upcoming films they’re excited about, such as the Bob Dylan biopic and Selena Gomez’s upcoming musical, Emilia Perez, which received standing ovations at Cannes.

“It's about a drug kingpin who wants to retire and transition. And it's a musical, and it was one of those movies that got, like, a lengthy standing ovation at Cannes.” [05:51]

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TV Shows

Both hosts share their favorite TV shows of the year and those they look forward to watching.

Kim praises:

“Abbott Elementary, which I continue to like it. I continue to think it's like a charming little show...” [08:12]

Jennifer highlights:

“Jury Duty... It doesn't matter. That is an amazing show. And the way it ends is so, like, life affirming.” [09:33]

They also mention enjoying specials like John Mulaney's Everybody's in LA and express interest in acclaimed series such as Brilliant Friend and Slow Horses.

“We are an independent podcast. You can join our [e-mail] everythingisfine.” [39:53] (Note: Promotional content excluded in summary)

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Books of 2024

The hosts confess to not reading as much as they’d like, reflecting on their literary journeys.

Kim shares her favorites:

“My favorite book of 2024, and I'm not even lying, was Ambition Monster by Jennifer Romolini. What a book. What a ride.” [14:06]

Jennifer adds:

“The best book I read this year, which is not a new book, was Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, the novel. I loved it so much...” [15:07]

They both express a desire to read more in the coming year, despite feeling overwhelmed by their current reading lists.

“I'm desperately trying to read Sarah Manguso's Liars this time.” [16:24]

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Best Experiences of 2024

Reflecting on memorable moments, both hosts recount joyful experiences and significant milestones.

Jennifer reminisces about attending a Joni Mitchell concert:

“The Joni Mitchell concert. Top 10 of my life and definitely like top five of the year... It was so much fun. That room was so full of love.” [20:28]

Kim shares a personal milestone:

“I turned 60... It felt kind of dorkily like the beginning, which is nice.” [22:22]

They also fondly remember dinners with friends and meaningful travels, emphasizing the importance of social connections.

“Saw Sam Irby, went to visit Sam Irby. It was all... Yeah, I'm really glad that I made the most of work travel.” [24:48]

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Overrated Things of 2024

Both hosts critique certain movies, TV shows, and beauty products they found disappointing.

Jennifer criticizes The Bear and Substance:

“The substance... It was overrated, but at the same time, I can't stop the thinking about it... It was really grosteous.” [26:22]

Kim agrees, adding:

“The Bear... I couldn't get with it.” [26:34]

They also express frustration with overpriced beauty products that failed to meet expectations, such as:

“Augustus Bader’s rich cream... it's ridiculous people are paying that much money for like a straight up moisturizer without any like actives or retinol.” [29:03]

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Favorite Purchases of 2024

Highlighting their best buys, both hosts discuss items that enhanced their lives this year.

Kim recommends:

• Jo Gordon knitwear for hats, gloves, and scarves.
• Frank and Eileen jeans for their comfort and stretch.
• Rag and Bone’s Miramar Sweatpants for their stylish look.
• Kosas Dream Beam sunscreen, which she uses as a foundation alternative.

“The Kosas Dream Beam is the sunscreen I've been using, and it's kind of replaced foundation for me.” [32:24]

Jennifer shares her top purchases:

• New Brow products that effectively promoted eyebrow growth.
• Skinceuticals Ptox peptide serum for reducing fine lines.
• Revlon Hot Airbrush for effortless blowouts.
• Pixie Cup Pelvic Weights, which she describes as transformative for her vaginal health.

“Pixie cup pelvic weight set... I think this is going to be transformative for me. And they're not that expensive.” [36:57]

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Closing Thoughts

As the episode concludes, both hosts extend warm holiday wishes and express optimism for the upcoming year.

Kim encourages listeners:

“Happy holidays to everyone... I hope it will be over soon.” [39:21]

Jennifer adds:

“Happy New Year. If you love this time of year, have the best time in the world. And if you hate it, know that we see you and it will be over soon.” [39:34]

They remind listeners to rate and review the podcast to support its growth and tease upcoming content for 2025.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jennifer Romolini:

  “I felt looking back over the year, first of all, the headline was watch too much TV in a year. That wasn't even that great for TV. Read too few books. Yeah, that's the headline.” [02:28]

• Kim France:

  “I turned 60... It felt kind of dorkily like the beginning, which is nice.” [22:22]

• Jennifer Romolini:

  “The best book I read this year, which is not a new book, was Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, the novel. I loved it so much...” [15:07]

• Kim France:

  “The Kosas Dream Beam is the sunscreen I've been using, and it's kind of replaced foundation for me.” [32:24]

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Conclusion

The "Best of 2024" episode of Everything is Fine offers a heartfelt and honest reflection on the past year, blending personal anecdotes with cultural commentary. Jennifer Romolini and Kim France provide a relatable narrative for women over 40, celebrating successes, acknowledging shortcomings, and setting intentions for the future. Their candid conversations and shared experiences create a warm and engaging listening experience, inviting audiences to reflect alongside them.

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Note: This summary excludes promotional advertisements and non-content sections to focus solely on the valuable discussions between the hosts.

Transcript

[Jen Romolini]

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[Unknown]

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[Kim France]

Hi and welcome to Everything is Fine, a podcast for women over 40. We are your hosts. I'm Kim France.

[Unknown]

And I'm J. And welcome to our end of year episode.

[Kim France]

Yes, very exciting. Our end of year best and a few worst things episode.

[Unknown]

Best and a few worst thing episode. And because also it's like this is. I was just telling you I'm leaving on a trip. I'm an only in packing panic. Like my head is barely here. So we're just, we're gonna go through a list. It's gonna be fantastic. How did you feel looking back over the year?

[Kim France]

I felt looking back over the year, first of all, the headline was watch too much TV in a year. That wasn't even that great for tv. Read too few books. Yeah, that's the headline. That's the Headline.

[Unknown]

My headline was actually, and we'll get into this at some point. I was like, oh, I did a lot of things this year. I saw a lot of people. I traveled a lot because of the book. Like, I actually had a lot of, like, really amazing moments in the year. Saw a lot, saw friends, you know, saw people I love. So while this list is thin and certainly thin on reading, like, shamefully thin, I feel like I was, you know, not just spending that 10 hours a day that I spend on my phone. I also saw some people.

[Kim France]

Well, that is a thing to feel good about.

[Jen Romolini]

See?

[Unknown]

All right, where would you care to begin?

[Kim France]

Shall we begin with movies?

[Unknown]

That is on the top of my list as well.

[Kim France]

I was shocked by how few movies I actually saw. And I realized it's because movies are back in theaters and you have to actually go see them. And I've got a list of movies I want to see and a shorter list of movies I did see and liked.

[Unknown]

That is. Same here. Same here.

[Kim France]

Okay. You want to hear my movies?

[Unknown]

Yes, I do.

[Kim France]

Okay. The yacht rock documentary is on there, babes. Did you see that? It was directed by Pamela Avlon. It was about two friends.

[Unknown]

I didn't see that. I didn't see that.

[Kim France]

It's worth a watch. It's streaming mild ass, which we've discussed.

[Unknown]

Also on my list. My old ass is on my list, too. My very small short list.

[Kim France]

Well, because it was a really good movie, but most. And then we did a lot of rewatches. Most recently we rewatched Dog Day Afternoon, which was great.

[Unknown]

Yeah, that's a great one. That's a great one. So, okay, my list of movies I saw the Fall Guy with Ryan Gosling I thought was like an incredibly fun action movie in a way. I had not seen an action movie in a really long time. Like, just like a delight. It doesn't take itself seriously at all. It's just like a very fun summer movie. And I wish they made more movies like that. I bet it was really expensive to make, but it was super fun. And he's obviously so winning a real pain with Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin, which is. I really loved watching the two of them and I thought that the script was really smart and that was a good movie. My old ass I have on my list. And then I saw a movie called Dee Dee. I saw it with my kid, but it's a coming of age movie set in the 90s and I loved that.

[Kim France]

Huh?

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Kim France]

You wanna hear the movies I wanna see?

[Unknown]

Yes. I do. Wait, it might be the 2000s that it was set in. I don't know. So it's set sometime in the recent past. Dee, Dee, Dee.

[Kim France]

Okay, I want to see Honora.

[Unknown]

Yes. On my list.

[Kim France]

I want to see a real pain, as we've discussed.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Kim France]

I want to see Emilia Perez.

[Unknown]

Ooh, I don't even know what that is. Oh, yes, I do know what that is. Yes, Tell.

[Kim France]

But tell listeners it's Selena Gomez is in it, apparently is really good in it. Other people are in it, too. But of course, my pea brain only remembers Selena Gomez. But it's about a drug kingpin who wants to retire and transition. And it's a musical, and it was one of those movies that got, like, a lengthy standing ovation at Cannes. And it's supposed to be so amazing.

[Unknown]

I wanna see it, too. Yes.

[Kim France]

Yes. And then the last one on my list that I wanna see that's coming out is a complete unknown. The Bob Dylan biopic.

[Unknown]

Oh, wow. Okay. Well, I thought we were gonna have the same, but this is exciting because we had div. I want to see Christmas Eve at Miller's Point, which just looks like this, like, throwback Christmas movie. It just looks like a. It doesn't even seem to have anybody of note in it that I could remember, but it's just like a play by play, second by second of this family's Christmas. And it looks crazy and wonderful I have not seen, which I have teed up, like, three times. It's a foreign film called do not Expect Too Much from the End of the World. I'm desperate to see that. And I keep wanting to see it, but it's three hours, and I keep being like, no, I'm not gonna watch that. His Three Daughters with Natasha Lyonne. I wanna see. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Right, right. Enora. I wanna see that, too. Baby girl, I have did not make it to that screening. The Nicole Kidman movie. I have to see that. Nickel Boys, which is supposed to be really good based on the Colson Whitehead book that I loved. That was so sad. That's a good one. The Brutalist is supposed to be amazing with Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce. And there's also this ridiculous movie that I can't believe I haven't watched with my kid yet, which is Hundreds of beavers. When all these, like, it's. I don't really even understand it, except that it is adult human beings dressed as. Stuffed at, like, as beavers. And it's a whole movie of these people in costume, but they're supposed to be beavers. Any. Anyway, that's all. That's my movie list. That's it.

[Kim France]

That's a good list, though. That's a good list. That has a couple things I didn't even think about on it.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Kim France]

Okay. You want to do tv?

[Unknown]

Tv? Yes, please. You go.

[Kim France]

Okay. TV hacks.

[Unknown]

Yes. On my list, too. Yes.

[Kim France]

Abbott elementary, which I continue to like it. I continue to think it's like a charming little show and it's set in Philadelphia, but I guess it's just not your thing.

[Unknown]

Yeah, I mean, it's fine for me. It's not my favorite. It's fine.

[Kim France]

Okay. Rivals, which was that British series that was hilarious. English teacher with an asterisk. Now that we've learned what we've learned about the guy from that show.

[Unknown]

Yeah. I don't know what's going on with him, but I did like that show.

[Kim France]

Everybody's in la. That's Special with John Mulaney.

[Unknown]

That's also on my list. I loved that.

[Kim France]

Oh, it was so good. It was so good. It was just so. I just love John Mulaney. I gotta say it.

[Unknown]

I do, too. Like, forever. I feel like he's our people is the thing. Yeah, I feel like he's our people. Just like. Just like a fuck up. A funny, smart, charming, charming fuck up. Yes.

[Kim France]

Well, so are we sometimes.

[Unknown]

Sometimes. Yeah.

[Kim France]

You know, on a good day. Okay. Industry. The third season of Industry, I thought was amazing. I bet that's on your list.

[Unknown]

It is. It is.

[Kim France]

And then we watched recently Jury Duty.

[Unknown]

But is that. Wait, that might be last year. But I don't.

[Kim France]

But I agree.

[Unknown]

It doesn't matter. That is an amazing show.

[Kim France]

It's an amazing show. And the way it ends is so, like, life affirming. And you don't think it's gonna be.

[Unknown]

No. You think it's gonna be. It's so funny. I laughed so hard.

[Kim France]

Yes. There were some great things.

[Unknown]

That is. And also, it's really original. It's just kind of like broke the reality TV show mold. I really. It's great. It's great.

[Kim France]

Yep. Okay, your turn.

[Unknown]

All right, My list is this Somebody somewhere. My number one. You have not seen this last season, but it is.

[Kim France]

I know. It's killing me. It's killing me.

[Unknown]

Immaculate industry hacks. I did not like this season of the Bear, but there's one episode between the mom and the daughter between Jamie Lee Curtis and Abby Elliot that I think is an amazing episode of television. So that is my caveat on the Bear I also have John Mulaney Presents Everybody's in la, and then the Golden Bachelorette.

[Kim France]

I know you love the Golden Bachelorette.

[Unknown]

I love it because I think it depicted, like, boomer male, like, boomer masculinity in a way that is. That is usually not depicted. It was tender. These men were friends with each other. Do you know that they intentionally. In the Man's Mansion, when they do the Bachelor or the Bachelorette, when they have the men in, they break the dishwasher, so the men have to deal with it. I heard, like, some behind the scenes, they break the dishwasher, so they have to figure out what to do with the dishwasher. Anyway, I thought this was a great season. I mean, I do have some issues with, like, perpetuating the, like, the thinness and the, you know, the forever young face and the extensions and the only one type of sexuality for women that is, you know, that is incredibly youthful and, like, a princess. Like, I have a problem with that. But other than that, I thought it was a really excellent. I hate these shows, but this one, I really. I loved. I loved. I love the Golden Bachelor and Bachelorette series. I think it's amazing. That's it.

[Kim France]

That is amazing.

[Unknown]

Okay, so we talk about shows we did not watch, but would like to watch.

[Kim France]

I don't even have anything on that. I don't have a show from this year that I haven't watched that I'd like to watch. Do you?

[Unknown]

I have three that I have not watched. I want to see my brilliant friend.

[Kim France]

I mean, I want to see that, and I'm sure it's wonderful, but I want to see that in that way that's like.

[Unknown]

But see. No, no, but wait. I think it might be okay. Is that because you don't. Is that because you, like, me? Did not like that book.

[Kim France]

I just. I didn't like how everyone was like, you must read it. You must read it. It's the most amazing. It just. And I'm not gonna say it's bad, because it's not bad. Just not for me.

[Unknown]

It wasn't for me either. And I've tried to read it, like, three times, and every time, I'm like, oh, no, I know.

[Kim France]

I can't. And I don't know what it is. I think I'm wrong about it, probably. You know, me, too.

[Unknown]

I think I'm wrong, too. I'm like, why don't I. Why don't I get the Ferrante? What the fuck is wrong with me? But I don't. But I Think the show might be better than the. I think the show might be. I think the show might have, like, a normal people vibe to it, and I love the normal people show. But anyway, that is on my list to try. Also, there's a show called We Are Lady Parts that I saw on it.

[Kim France]

I've heard about that. Yeah.

[Unknown]

Yes. I saw on a bunch of best lists, and I was like, that looks like it's kind of up my alley. And then the third thing that I have not watched that I can't believe I haven't watched because everybody has told me it's great, is Slow Horses.

[Kim France]

Yeah, I've heard the same thing and haven't watched it.

[Unknown]

And haven't watched it for zero reason. Haven't watched it. There's also some show about Munich that I'm interested in. I don't need more TV in my life. Okay. Are you ready for the shame portion of this episode?

[Kim France]

The shame portion?

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Kim France]

Is that the. Is that. Oh, books. Yes, I'm ready.

[Unknown]

Which books did you read?

[Kim France]

Well, my favorite book of 2024, and I'm not even lying, was Ambition Monster by Jennifer Romolini. What a book. What a book. What a ride.

[Unknown]

You know, Esquire did name it one of its best memoirs of 2024.

[Kim France]

Is that true? That's awesome.

[Unknown]

I haven't shared it yet because I've gotten to the point that I'm like, do I have to share all of this Sh. I don't know.

[Kim France]

That's a good one.

[Unknown]

It is a good one.

[Kim France]

Okay. Also the Most by Jessica Anthony, which I talked about on the episode, and the Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunn. The memoir, which I also talked about on an episode, which I thought was just a really well written memoir.

[Unknown]

I tried to listen to that on audiobook, and there was something about his voice that I was like, I can't go. I can't be here with you, Griffin Dunn.

[Kim France]

I understand that. I want to clarify. I read more than three books this year. I didn't read a ton more than three books this year. Those were just the three I like.

[Unknown]

Okay. I read the best book I read this year, which is not a new book, was Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, the novel Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Tomorrow. I loved it so much, and I don't know what happened. I was like, now I'm just gonna be on a novel, kick. And turns out I was not. I liked My Year of Rest and Relaxation.

[Kim France]

I love that book.

[Unknown]

Yeah, I really like that. And then my friend Glynis's book, I'm Mostly here to enjoy myself was super fun. And then I listened to an audiobook, Hope in the Dark by Rebecca Solnit, which I found very soothing in this time of life. And that's it. I don't know how many more I read. I'm not gonna lie. Like I, maybe I read. I mean those were the ones I liked. And finished.

[Kim France]

Yeah, I mean I had to, I read usually on my phone. So I had to go on my phone to see what books I read this year. I just. There weren't many. Okay, so intention for next year. More books.

[Unknown]

Same, same. Same as I'm staring at because we have started to dismantle the house. So I'm just staring at stacks of books like just shaming me as we're talking. Like books I have not read. It's embarrassing.

[Kim France]

I know. I feel the same way about my bookshelves.

[Unknown]

My friend Elisa Albert, who is amazing if you have not read anything by her, she's such an amazing writer. She just, she just published a collection of essays called the Snarling Girl. But she, I saw her the other night and she gave me Liars by Sarah Manguso. I think that's Sarah Manguso. Did I make that up? Make that up sometimes. Do you ever do this? Do you just like make like people's name? Oh yeah, it is Sarah Menguso. She just gave me that book and I'm gonna try to read it this time. Really hoping I could read a book.

[Kim France]

Fingers crossed.

[Unknown]

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[Jen Romolini]

They say opposites attract. That's why the Sleep Number Smart bed is the best bed for couples. You can each choose what's right for you whenever you like. You like a bed that feels firm but they want soft. Sleep number does that. You want to sleep cooler while they like to feel warm. Sleep Number does that too. Why choose a Sleep Number Smart bed so you can choose your ideal comfort on either side. And now it's the lowest price of the season. On the top selling i8 smart bed your best savings plus special financing limited time shop a Sleep Number store near you see store or sleepnumber.com for details. Over the last 75 years, over 10,000 chemicals have been introduced to our food supply. Yet the EU only allows 300 food additives. But at Thrive Market, we bring our members the highest quality brands and restrict more than 1,000 and ingredients found at conventional grocery stores. Making the switch is easy with our Healthy Swaps scanner which finds better versions of all your favorite pantry snacking and home essentials without the added junk dyes and fillers. Plus it's all delivered straight to your door. So if you're looking to shop at a grocery store that actually cares about your health, go to thrivemarket.com podcast and you'll get 30% off your first order and a free gift.

[Unknown]

And we're back. Okay, best experiences of the year. This is on my list.

[Kim France]

Okay, you want to go first?

[Unknown]

I'll go first. The Joni Mitchell concert. Top 10 of my life and definitely like top five of the year, if not the best thing that happened this year. Our live show in Philly was one of my.

[Kim France]

Yes, it really was.

[Unknown]

It was just. That was so much fun. That room was so full of love. Like the party afterwards was fun. Like the whole thing. That was. I mean all the book tour stuff all the everything is fine stuff we did this year, like, it was super fun. Our dinner at the Smokehouse.

[Kim France]

Yes. And then our dinner at the Palm Springs Smokehouse.

[Unknown]

Oh, my God. Yes. Oh, my God. What was that place called? I forget what it's called, but yes. That was amazing. With the Cebu Tower, with the seafood Tower.

[Kim France]

And he was like. And they were like, yeah, this is Frank. This was Frank Sinatra's table. And you were like, I'm not sure they seated him that close to the bathroom, but whatever you say.

[Unknown]

No, exactly. They were like, lady, they gave us the shittiest table. And they were like, ladies, this was Frank Sinatra's table. Literally, the kitchen door was opening onto our table. I was like, no, this is not your lying.

[Kim France]

It's a lie.

[Unknown]

And then I just had, like, lots of good other memories. Like, I had, like, dinner with my friend Glynis at Odeon. And afterwards, we got on bikes, and she was like, we're too drunk for bikes. But we did it. And I just had one day at my sister's community pool. I had a lot. If I really go back in the year, I had actually an amazing year, and I have forgotten it entirely.

[Kim France]

I know, but what a good thing to realize.

[Unknown]

I know. I know. It's a good thing to remember. Okay. Do you have experiences, or would you prefer to go on to other things?

[Kim France]

No, I will give some experiences.

[Unknown]

Please do.

[Kim France]

I turned 60.

[Unknown]

Oh, my God. That's right. Congratulations.

[Kim France]

I turned 60. Thank you. And that turned out to be kind of a not bad thing. It ended up being. I was really in a great mood on the day I turned 60, and I went out with my family and a couple of friends to sing karaoke. And we went out for Korean food. And it was just. It was a really fun, you know, like, goofy evening. And the whole thing about turning 60, I really just felt like, you know, I didn't originate this thought, but, you know, it is the youth of old age. And it's kind of like I didn't, you know, I was just, like, dragging along in my 50s. My 50s were like, you know, felt like somehow the end.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Kim France]

You know, but it doesn't feel that way now that they ended. It doesn't feel like the end. It feels kind of dorkily like the beginning, which is nice.

[Unknown]

That's amazing. That's amazing.

[Kim France]

I have liked turning 60. My 50s were really good. My 40s sucked. I look forward to my 60s being, like, aces.

[Unknown]

Yeah, that's great. That's amazing. And that is a message people need to Hear.

[Kim France]

Yes, it is. Just turning the actual calendar. Age doesn't have to be the suckiest thing, honestly.

[Unknown]

30S and 40s, you can have them. I don't need them. The 30s were especially, I found to be just like a torment. Like just trying to pack too much shit into one decade. It's not right.

[Kim France]

No, it's not right. My 30s were all right. They were all right. My 40s just could not have sucked worse. Just as a. Could not. I mean, sure, they could have, but it's hard to imagine many ways in which they could have.

[Unknown]

Right. You could have lost a limb or something. That would have sucked. Yeah, yeah.

[Kim France]

Our year end episode, I mean, not our year end episodes, our live episodes, I loved. Yes, they were really fun. And both of the afterwards things, the Philly one did have like a vibe that was pretty unmistakable. It was pretty great. I traveled a bit. Yes, I did a little traveling. Went out to la, which I seem to do every year in the winter. And we went to Amsterdam and that was good. And I saw people like you. I mean, I feel like I saw people a lot.

[Unknown]

Yeah, Yeah, I saw a lot of people. I saw like, I think I saw almost every one of my closest people this year, which is not a thing that happens all the time, you know, Like, I saw our friend Minna a couple of times. I spent. I went and stayed with my friend Kristen. Like, I really. That's really meaningful.

[Kim France]

Increasingly meaningful.

[Unknown]

Yeah. Saw Sam Irby, went to visit Sam Irby. Where, where Sam lives. Like, yeah. It was all. It was. Yeah. I'm really glad that I made the most of work travel, which is something I'm learning to do better. Like, I built days around every work trip so that I would. I could strategically see people, which is amazing and so good and just like going. Putting in the effort to do that. Yeah, we had some good guests this year. Like, it was a good year. Yeah.

[Kim France]

This wasn't a bad year until it sucked.

[Unknown]

I mean, until then, right? Exactly. Actually, the first like two thirds of the year were okay.

[Kim France]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

It was really Q4. Q4, really just Q4. Blue thumbs down. Lost two cats.

[Kim France]

Oh, that's right.

[Unknown]

The election. Just like getting kicked out of our house. Like, just like it was just Q4. Just bummer, bummer town. But that's what life is. It's just that thing and you forget how up and down it is now.

[Kim France]

Jen Romolini, should we talk about the most overrated things?

[Unknown]

Oh, yes. I also have things I bought, but we can talk about things.

[Kim France]

Yeah, no, things I Bought. We definitely need to do.

[Unknown]

Okay, what do you want to do first? Overrated things. I could talk about that.

[Kim France]

I only have a couple, but I'll probably agree with yours. Okay. The bear.

[Unknown]

Oh, wow.

[Kim France]

I stopped watching it this year. I couldn't get with it. I will watch that episode you're talking about because it's not the first time I've heard about it. But the bear, and then also the substance.

[Unknown]

The substance. I am, I mean, I finally saw it. I did not send you a picture of my face while watching it, but I was mostly disgusted the whole time. I have such mixed feelings about it. I think it's overrated, but at the same time, I can't stop the thinking about it.

[Kim France]

Right?

[Unknown]

So, like, I feel like that's, I don't know. I, I, I feel like that's artworking in some way. But I do think that it was for, for a quote, feminist movie from a feminist director. I do think it was misogynist. I just, I do. And I think it was insulting to older women, even if it was supposed to be sort of over the top. I just, I, I just found, like, I don't know, I wish that they had done more in that movie exploring her being Demi Moore's age and not immediately going into, like, old lady, you know, like, older, much older lady. I wish they had explored that side more. I felt like it was kind of shallow, and I just thought it was far too grotesque. Like, the payoff was not enough for me to deal with all that grotesqueness.

[Kim France]

No, it was gross. It was gross. And you have to earn that.

[Unknown]

You have to earn it. Exactly. And I have to also say this is something I said to you. I feel like we used to warn people better about things like this. Like, no, I really do not feel that I was, I was adequately warned about just how disgusting it was going to be. Like, I don't feel like I got enough trigger warnings on, like, if you hate needles. Oh, you might hate this. Or, like, if you can't handle this body violence, this, you know, like, whatever. It was really gross. It was really, really, really gross.

[Kim France]

It was a super gross one.

[Unknown]

Super gross. What else is on your list? Anything?

[Kim France]

No. I'm hoping to be inspired by your list.

[Unknown]

Okay, so I have the vava sweaters. Fuck them. I hate them. And you know what? I'm right on this. Like, since I wrote that, people have been dming me. My friends have been texting me, like, oh, my God, I'm so glad you said it. Right. Currently wearing the world's itchiest sweater from Baba.

[Kim France]

That is so funny.

[Unknown]

But I had a lot of just like beauty disappointments. Like I had. I tried the Augustus Bader the rich cream. That's $186. And it's like, it's not great. It's fine. It doesn't absorb that well and it like pills on your skin and it's just, it's ridiculous. It's ridiculous people are paying that much money for like a straight up moisturizer without any like actives or retinol or you know, whatever peptides. And then I tried that like lip thing that I saw all over social media, which was, you know, it's Wonder Skin Peel and Reveal lip stain. And you like put it on your lips and it's like a dark black and then you like spray this shit and then like you peel it off and you have a beautiful stained lip. And none of that was true. The spray tasted like poison when you peeled it. It got globby and like got stuck in your teeth like. No, I just really. It's fucking overrated. I mean I have so many products that are overrated. Oh my God. The Ilia Skin Milk or the Base Face Milk. It's supposed to be moisturizing, but it actually dries your hair out. The Prose hair care system that's supposed to be good for menopausal hair was a nightmare for my hair. It made it feel like hay. That's just a couple. I mean I'm now testing products like kind of, you know, for a living.

[Kim France]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Okay, what were the best things you bought this year?

[Kim France]

Okay, there is a knitwear designer named Jo Gordon J O Gordon in England. I think they're in England and I buy hats and gloves and scarves from them. And they're hand knit and beautiful and bright colors and really great. So I like those. There are two pairs. I've had some luck with Frank and Eileen pants lately. I'm happy to say they're Dairy Illusion Crop Flare Pull on Jean which is just like a pull on jean. And their Derri Jean, which is a separate pant, are both really good. The Derri Jean is like a zip up regular Jean, but they both have a lot of stretch. And I've decided that stretch is my friend. I know that's stretch is uncool, but I don't care. I just don't care. I can't care. Oh, these rag and bone sweatpants I got that. I love. They're called, I think they're called Miramar sweatpants. They're Trompe. They look like they're jeans. They're trompe l'oeil.

[Unknown]

Oh, wow. Okay.

[Kim France]

But they're actually sweatpants, and I wrote about them and then they sent me a pair and I just wear them constantly. I love them.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Kim France]

Tarte Fake Awake, which is every stoner's favorite beauty product.

[Unknown]

What does it do? Tell me.

[Kim France]

It's a like cream colored pencil that you do on your waterline, your under eye, so. Because it gets really red and irritated if you're tired or if you smoke a lot of pot or whatever, and you just put it over the waterline and it wakes up your whole face.

[Unknown]

Wow, I love that. I love that. I never even heard of that. That sounds great.

[Kim France]

You'll see what you think of it.

[Unknown]

I will.

[Kim France]

And then this Kosas Dream Beam is the sunscreen I've been using, and it's kind of replaced foundation for me.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Kim France]

And it comes in a new shade called Golden Glow, which is just more tinted than their original. And I'm very much loving that right now.

[Unknown]

Okay. Okay.

[Kim France]

Those are some of the things I bought.

[Unknown]

I love all of your things that you bought. I. So my list is new brow. The. The. I can't believe that it made my eyebrows grow back completely. My favorite. And it's not cheap, and I hate it when something is not cheap. But I recently, you know, everybody's all into the skinceutical C ferulic vitamin C serum. But they just came out with this year a new peptide serum called Ptox from Skinceuticals. And I was like, fuck this. There's $150 serum is not gonna do anything. It's done quite a bit. And peptides is one of the things that dermatologists recommended to me as a Botox alternative. Like something that will make your fine lines appear less. Less, like, you know, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. And it works. It's really, really good. I hate to recommend an expensive product, but it's good. I really like Sunday Riley's Good Genes and their CEO vitamin C eye cream. I think both of those are amazing products. The Good Genes is an exfoliator, but it's gentle. And I think the vitamin C is gentle too. I don't know what you think of it, Kim, but I think it's pretty gentle. It's very moisturizing. And it's not. It's not like that. Tingly, harsh vitamin C. I don't ever know what to do with my hair, but I got this Revlon Hot airbrush. It's like $35, maybe $40. And it just gives you like you, you use it on your damp hair or you can use it on dry hair and you just like brush through your hair and suddenly you have a blowout with this like because it's a blow dryer. Hot, you know, brush, flat iron, all the same. Anyway, it gives me like a very smooth blowout kind of thing and it's, it's really, really easy to use. Favorite clothing. Those Rachel Comey like parachute y kind of pants I bought on a whim. I never spend a lot of money on clothes, but I probably have worn them 30, 40 times already. Like I love them. They're just such a cool pant fashion brand companies Big butt jeans. And then. Hold on, I have to go get this because this is very important. This is the best thing I bought all year and I'm going to explain it. It's going to change everybody's vagina. Let me go get it. Okay, So I didn't know like you remember I told you that a couple weeks ago that my vagina weights got sent to the wrong place because I've been trying to fight vaginal atrophy. Anyway, finally got sent to the right place and I like took me a couple weeks to pick up whatever, try it out. Okay. They're by Pixie cup and they are six weights and they're all different weights, right? So they start at like the lightest weight and then they go all the way up to like number six is pretty heavy. I didn't understand how to use this at all. But really what you're doing is you're putting this weight inside of your vagina and you are trying to keep it there without it falling out for like 20 minutes a day. Okay. I didn't understand this. First off, I got so cocky. And then there's, then they have like an exercise booklet and the exercises are super easy. You like lie on your back and like you, you know, you use, you clench your muscles and let them go and you do it for like it's like a five minute workout, right? So the first one I put in, I was like, oh, this is nothing. No. What does this even mean? And then I was like, I must have the strongest vagina. But then, then, then I got up to weight too and I was like, like, I don't know about this. Like, this is a little harder to keep in by weight three. It was just like, poof, fell out. Right? But you're supposed to build up to weight 6 it's so interesting. And, you know, you get a little loop, whatever. And I don't want to be too graphic about this, but I have to say, I think that using these, first off, is going to really change my whole relationship with, like, atrophy and my vaginal muscles, everything. But I also think it's going to make me hornier because you're just thinking about your vagina more. You're just like. You're just, like, centering your attention on your vagina in a way that I never do. I barely shave my legs. I don't fucking think about anything. I'm not necessarily a sexual being the way I used to be. And that's not just because of what's going on physically. That's just age and not giving a shit as much and not the world not looking at you like that, not being single, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. I think this is. I don't know how everybody else is feeling about their vaginas, but this, I think, is going to be transformative for me. And they're not that expensive. I forget what they were, but they're definitely under a hundred dollars. Pixie cup, pelvic weight set. We will link to it. I really think it's going to. In 2025, new. New vagina.

[Kim France]

You know, pussy power all around.

[Unknown]

Oh, my God, how you couldn't. You couldn't resist it. But yes, pussy power.

[Kim France]

I couldn't resist it. I'm sorry. I'm that kind of dork.

[Unknown]

No, I appreciate that you're that kind of dork. But anyway, really, seriously, I. Because I, you know, I've talked to friends who are like, you know, you just have to get into your yoni energy. And I'm like. But, like, now I kind of get it, because if you're, like, centering some attention there without it feeling like a pressuresome thing, like, oh, I have to show up as a sex person. Like, I think that that's sort of where you. Where we might need to be is, like, have some intention there on our own.

[Kim France]

Very good.

[Unknown]

All right. Yeah, that's it. That's it. That was my whole. My whole goddamn 2024 list. Oh.

[Kim France]

The only thing I didn't mention. The only thing that was on my list that I didn't mention was Nikki Glaser's roast of Tom Brady at the Tom Brady Roast.

[Unknown]

Oh, my God. Oh, my. I didn't even get into. Oh. I would also put Ali Wong on favorite comedy of the year. That was an amazing special. Yeah, I forgot. I forgot about comedy. But yeah, that was great. And yeah, Nikki Glaser was fantastic.

[Kim France]

She is so funny.

[Unknown]

Yeah. This is not a comprehensive list, I don't think.

[Kim France]

No, this is just our list this week. But look, we talked for 35 minutes.

[Unknown]

I said we were gonna do a 15 minute episode. So I think.

[Kim France]

I know, I know this was supposed to be a little mini episode for you guys, but it turned into a midi episode.

[Unknown]

Yeah. Yeah, that's exactly right. Well, happy holidays to everyone.

[Kim France]

Yeah, Happy holidays. Happy New Year. I hope if you love this time of year that you're having the best time in the world. And I hope if you hate it, you know that I see you, I feel you, and it will be over soon.

[Unknown]

Yeah, and exactly. It's going to be over soon. And then we just have this great year of 2025 to look forward to. Oh, man. Thanks for listening to Everything is Fine. We are your hosts. I'm Jen Romolini.

[Kim France]

And I'm Kim France.

[Unknown]

If you like the show, please rate and review it across the platforms, especially Apple podcasts. It really helps people find the show. It makes a difference. If you want to support the production of the show in 2025, we are an independent podcast. You can join our [e-mail] everythingisfine. It's $3 a month. You can find Kim for more recommendations on her substack. Kim france.substack.com you can find me at jenromalini.substack.com our show is mixed and edited by Natalie Rivera. Happy holidays, Natalie. We love you and we will be back next week.

[Jen Romolini]

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[Unknown]

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