Everything is Fine: Episode Summary - “Elegantly Boring”
Release Date: May 5, 2025
In the episode titled “Elegantly Boring” of the podcast Everything is Fine, hosts Jennifer Romolini and Kim France delve into personal challenges, mental health journeys, sobriety, and the intricacies of navigating style and fashion after 40. This episode offers an intimate look into the lives of women redefining their identities during a pivotal stage of life.
Personal Mishaps and Shared Laughter
The episode begins with Jen Romolini humorously recounting a recent accident: “I dropped a really heavy hammer on my head” ([02:12]). Kim France adds to the light-hearted start by sharing a minor mishap of her own: “I stepped on my dog's foot at the pharmacy this morning” ([02:17]). These anecdotes set a relatable and candid tone for the conversation, illustrating that everyday challenges are part of their shared experiences.
Navigating Mental Health: Kim’s Ketamine Treatment Journey
A significant portion of the episode focuses on Kim France’s candid discussion about her mental health struggles and her recent foray into ketamine treatments. Addressing listener concerns, Kim reveals, “I know we've had some listeners asking about my mental health because I've been talking about how I've been kind of down” ([02:20]). She explains, “I have what is referred to as treatment-resistant depression. My depression does not respond well to medication” ([03:14]).
Kim describes her first ketamine session: “It was a whole trip” ([04:26]), contrasting her experience with those who undergo more intense psychedelic episodes. For her, it felt “pleasantly lightly high” ([04:56]) and left her in a better mood for the rest of the day. She mentions, “People start seeing a real change after two treatments” ([05:20]), expressing optimism about the positive impact of the treatment on her mental health.
Embracing Sobriety: Jen’s Personal Transformation
Jen Romolini opens up about her decision to pursue sobriety, sharing, “My biggest problem is the weed” ([06:08]). She details her journey of cutting back on substances to achieve better emotional stability: “I was waking up feeling a little out of it... I was just getting too emotional and too reactive” ([06:08]).
Jen emphasizes the importance of self-care and finding balance, stating, “I have to stabilize here” ([06:08]). She reflects on the impact of sobriety on her interactions and overall well-being: “I was choosing to do things with friends for the most part that are sober” ([06:08]). This segment underscores the transformative power of making conscious lifestyle changes to enhance mental health and personal relationships.
Style and Fashion: The Struggle with Evolving Tastes
The conversation shifts to a lighter yet equally personal topic: fashion and style. Both hosts express frustration with current trends and the challenges of maintaining a wardrobe that reflects their evolving identities.
Jen laments her disillusionment with jumpsuits: “I have a closet full of these... suddenly I'm like, no, it has to be separate” ([28:44]). Kim echoes this sentiment, adding, “I don't know what's going to be chic to me now” ([30:42]). They discuss specific fashion dilemmas, such as the overabundance of barrel jeans: “I tried some and they looked awful on me” ([32:35]). The hosts share a mutual disdain for trends that don’t align with their personal styles, emphasizing the difficulty of finding age-appropriate yet fashionable attire.
The discussion also touches on footwear preferences, with Jen expressing fatigue over Birkenstocks: “I'm having real Birkenstock fatigue” ([27:23]) and contemplating alternatives like Rachel Comey kitten heels: “Every time I see them, I'm like… amazing” ([31:09]). This segment highlights the ongoing quest for comfort and style that suits their mature lifestyles.
Listener Questions: Expert Advice on Beauty and Style
Towards the end of the episode, Jen and Kim address several listener-submitted questions, offering practical advice on beauty and fashion.
1. Body Moisturizer Recommendations: Jen recommends products containing urea for dry skin, stating, “Eucerin… is like the best moisturizing product you can find” ([37:58]). She also suggests options like Charlotte Tilbury’s emollient moisturizers and Peter Thomas Roth’s gel moisturizers for added hydration.
2. Great Music to Check Out: Kim touches on her limited engagement with new music but mentions creating playlists for paying subscribers: “I occasionally make playlists for my paying subscribers on Fridays” ([38:43]).
3. Skincare Concerns: Addressing Jen’s concerns about new skin flakiness, Kim advises, “Try something with urea in it” and mentions, “Hyaluronic acid actually pulls moisture into your skin” ([38:51]).
4. Perfect White T-Shirt Under $50: The hosts discuss affordable and flattering white T-shirt options. Jen criticizes Everlane’s thin T-shirts, while Kim praises Madewell’s offerings but cautions about their durability: “They’re not the most, you know, exceptionally well constructed things” ([43:56]).
5. Current Beauty Ideals Around Women's Nails: Jen expresses discomfort with long nails, asking, “Can we normalize peasant hands yet?” ([44:56]), to which Kim responds positively to the trend of unmanicured nails: “Have you ever seen any women with nails like that Type on a keyboard? Like, it’s amazing” ([45:13]).
6. Beauty Product Longevity: Jen wonders why some beauty products lose effectiveness over time. Kim suggests looking for dupes on Reddit and discusses the role of preservatives: “The more natural the products, the funkier they get pretty quickly” ([45:33]).
Final Thoughts: Embracing Change and Finding Balance
As the episode concludes, Jen and Kim reflect on their personal growth and the importance of adapting to life's changes. Kim shares her fondness for spring as a metaphor for renewal: “It's a miracle that it happens every year” ([19:10]). They acknowledge the ongoing challenges of balancing personal well-being with societal expectations, emphasizing resilience and self-compassion.
Notable Quote: Jen encapsulates the essence of their journey, saying, “I’m really trying to ride the wave” ([07:58]), highlighting the ongoing effort to navigate life's ebbs and flows with grace and determination.
This episode of Everything is Fine offers a heartfelt exploration of personal struggles, mental health management, sobriety, and the quest for authentic self-expression through style. Jen Romolini and Kim France provide a relatable and empowering dialogue for women navigating life beyond 40, encouraging listeners to embrace change, prioritize self-care, and find elegance in simplicity.