Everything is Fine: Episode Summary – "New Year, Same Us — with Samantha Irby!"
Hosts: Jennifer Romolini and Kim Krantz
Guest: Samantha Irby
Release Date: January 6, 2025
In the inaugural episode of 2025, hosts Jennifer Romolini and Kim Krantz welcome comedian and author Samantha Irby to discuss the perennial challenges and humorous tribulations associated with New Year's resolutions, aging, wellness, and navigating social expectations. The conversation blends candid storytelling with insightful commentary, providing listeners with both laughter and relatable content.
1. Welcome and Guest Introduction (02:00 – 07:30)
Jennifer and Kim express their excitement about having Samantha Irby as their special guest. Jen shares her initial hesitation in inviting Samantha onto the show, humorously admitting her tendency to be overly cautious about involving friends in podcast projects:
Jen Romolini (02:14): "I've been gatekeeping her the entire three years I've been doing this show... Samantha Irby is a goddamn delight."
Kim complements Samantha as a "national treasure," setting the tone for an engaging and heartfelt discussion.
2. Mishaps and Humor: Jen’s Skincare Fiasco (02:45 – 05:57)
Jen opens up about a recent skincare accident where she mistakenly applied self-tanner instead of a facial serum, turning her face orange overnight:
Jen Romolini (03:13): "I woke up the next morning, I looked as orange and leathery as, like, the old lady."
Kim Krantz (04:51): "But how did you get rid of it?"
Jen Romolini (04:53): "I just use water and alcohol to fade it out."
This light-hearted anecdote serves as an icebreaker, highlighting the relatable struggles of maintaining beauty routines.
3. New Year's Resolutions and Executive Function (05:57 – 21:41)
The trio delves into the topic of New Year's resolutions, expressing mutual skepticism about their effectiveness and the pressure to achieve lofty goals:
Jen Romolini (10:33): "All of these New Year's intentions and resolutions, they're just all designed to make you feel like shit."
Samantha Irby (15:18): "I set goals for someone who has more executive function than I do."
Samantha discusses her approach to setting "micro goals" as advised by her psychiatrist, emphasizing manageable steps over ambitious targets:
Samantha Irby (16:08): "Just pick up that shirt you took off. Every time."
Kim and Jen share their own struggles with executive functioning, reinforcing the common challenges faced by many in maintaining resolutions.
4. Wellness Hacks and Self-Care Strategies (31:42 – 36:05)
The conversation shifts to practical wellness tips and self-care habits. Samantha introduces her hydration hack using DripDrop packets to combat dehydration caused by weed use:
Samantha Irby (32:09): "My hack is to put two drip drops in a big water and like, if you take the edible at night and you drink that and then you make another one first thing in the morning."
Jen Romolini (34:30): "I have a water pick... putting mouthwash in the water pick has transformed everything."
Kim contemplates the idea of using coaching to improve executive function, while Jen humorously discusses her resistance to becoming less sensitive:
Jen Romolini (22:43): "I wish that I didn't. I wish everything didn't make me like, oh, I'm hurt."
5. Navigating Social Media (58:56 – 63:12)
Samantha shares her selective use of social media platforms, favoring Instagram for curated content and avoiding Facebook and Twitter to maintain her mental well-being:
Samantha Irby (59:05): "I've created or curated my feed to the point where, like, I don't see anything that upsets me."
The hosts discuss their individual relationships with social media, highlighting the importance of setting boundaries to preserve mental health.
6. Embracing Aging and Challenging Societal Norms (44:28 – 51:05)
A significant portion of the episode tackles societal attitudes towards aging, especially concerning older women. Samantha critiques the limited and stereotypical roles available to older women in media:
Samantha Irby (44:58): "People hate older women... they don't want to see a woman in her 50s, 60s, 70s, having fun."
Jen and Kim echo these sentiments, discussing the unrealistic standards and expectations placed on women as they age. The conversation includes humorous takes on reality TV shows like "Later Daters," emphasizing the lack of authentic representation for older women.
7. Sports Fandom as a Coping Mechanism (61:13 – 68:31)
Samantha reveals her deep passion for sports, particularly the NFL and NBA, as a source of entertainment and emotional engagement:
Samantha Irby (63:18): "I love watching people be really good at physical things that I could never do."
Jen Romolini (65:54): "Football's a little stressful to me."
Kim and Samantha discuss the emotional connections and drama inherent in sports, likening it to a weekly soap opera that provides both distraction and enjoyment.
8. Final Thoughts and Resolutions to Survive (68:41 – 73:00)
As the episode wraps up, the hosts and Samantha reflect on what they appreciate about getting older and what they aim to achieve moving forward. Samantha expresses a desire to write a novel and host a grand party with her loved ones:
Samantha Irby (69:54): "I would like to write a novel... throw a big fancy party."
In a unanimous agreement, the trio concludes their resolutions for the year with a humorous yet sincere intention:
Samantha Irby (72:56): "Let's just survive."
Kim Krantz (73:00): "That's our resolution and our intention."
Notable Quotes:
- Jen Romolini (03:14): "Something finally, totally fucked up happened with skincare..."
- Samantha Irby (08:02): "I feel like people are gonna freak the fuck out."
- Kim Krantz (10:08): "Skinny Models made me feel insecure when I was younger."
- Samantha Irby (15:18): "I'm setting micro goals to stop feeling like shit."
- Jen Romolini (19:56): "Would you feel okay if you could change anything about yourself?"
- Samantha Irby (45:49): "People hate older women... they don't want to see a woman in her 50s, 60s, 70s, having fun."
- Samantha Irby (63:18): "It's sort of like the Olympics for me, except every week."
- Jen Romolini (72:52): "How about we just survive?"
Conclusion
"New Year, Same Us — with Samantha Irby!" offers a blend of humor, honesty, and introspection as the hosts and guest navigate the complexities of setting and failing to meet New Year's resolutions, maintaining wellness, embracing aging, and finding comfort in personal passions like sports. Samantha Irby's candid revelations and witty remarks make for an engaging episode that resonates with listeners navigating similar life stages and challenges.
Join Jennifer Romolini and Kim Krantz next week on Everything is Fine for more candid conversations and relatable insights tailored for women over 40 navigating the oddities and freedoms of midlife.