Podcast Summary: Everything Is Fine – Episode: "Runnin' On Empty"
Introduction
In the April 21, 2025 episode of Everything Is Fine, hosts Kim France and Jennifer Romolini delve into the multifaceted challenges faced by women over 40. Titled "Runnin' On Empty," the episode explores themes of overwork, mental health, societal pressures, and the pervasive influence of social media. Through candid conversations and relatable anecdotes, Jen and Kim offer insights and coping strategies for navigating this complex stage of life.
Overwork and the Creator Economy
The episode opens with Jen Romolini expressing her struggles with overwork, especially balancing her day job with her responsibilities in the creator economy. Jen candidly shares her exhaustion and the relentless demand for content creation, highlighting a pervasive issue many women face in maintaining work-life balance.
Jen Romolini [02:20]: "I'm never not working. There's like, literally I'm sitting in a fucking bathroom with my face toward a toilet. It's ridiculous."
Kim France empathizes, suggesting that recognizing one's relentless schedule is the first step toward making necessary adjustments.
Kim France [04:37]: "Recognizing that you're doing that, this is how you built your life, may be a good first step toward adjusting that."
Coping Mechanisms: Sad Box and Voice Lessons
To manage her feelings of being "burnt out," Kim introduces the concept of the "sad box," a collection of items meant to provide comfort during tough times. Although the initial effect seems minimal, it represents a step toward self-care.
Jen discusses her attempt at voice lessons as another coping mechanism, humorously detailing her progress and the light-hearted nature of her training.
Kim France [08:44]: "I've used it every day for 10 minutes, like you're supposed to. Okay, so far, no. No big change. So far, nothing."
Jen Romolini [09:16]: "It's really good. He understands I can't sing at all. He's like, we're going to learn noises before we're going to sing."
Running on Empty: Collective Fatigue
Jen and Kim explore the overarching theme of collective exhaustion in modern society. They discuss the impact of constant connectivity and the pressure to maintain high energy levels, which often leads to burnout.
Jen Romolini [09:46]: "I do feel like it's just pleasure grabs right now. Like, that's all you can have. Because you know what? We're all kind of running on empty."
Critique of Women in Space and Public Figures
The conversation shifts to a critique of the portrayal of women in high-profile roles, such as space exploration. Jen expresses frustration with how some public figures, including celebrities and media personalities, handle their roles and societal expectations.
Jen Romolini [10:19]: "I am so angry about this that I made myself laugh last night. I was like, I'm so humiliated for women. I feel embarrassed for all of those women, first of all. And fucking Katy Perry."
Kim adds to the critique, comparing instances of public figures' behavior unfavorably.
Kim France [11:07]: "What was anyone thinking? Please tell me. What do you think they were thinking?"
Social Media Addiction and Influence
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the pervasive influence of social media. Jen and Kim discuss the challenges of navigating misinformation, influencer culture, and the addictive nature of platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
Jen Romolini [14:20]: "It's so weird because you have an immaculate jaw and neck and like the jaw and neck of like a 30 year old. But she was clearly probably like, she was like an enfeebled 81."
They highlight the detrimental effects of social media on self-esteem and the spread of misleading information, emphasizing the need for critical consumption of online content.
Kim France [36:08]: "What's amazing right now is how much is getting passed off as fact."
Lifestyle and Shopping Habits
The hosts delve into the complexities of modern consumerism, discussing their reliance on platforms like Amazon and the internal conflict between wanting to support ethical shopping habits versus the convenience provided by large retailers.
Jen Romolini [31:14]: "Nobody ever shops the other retailers."
Kim shares her personal struggles with reducing her dependency on Amazon, illustrating the difficulty of breaking ingrained shopping habits.
Kim France [30:11]: "I have to say that I'm not getting everything. Like I'm just not ordering the shit I need."
They also touch upon the societal pressure to appear a certain way, leading to spending on high-end products and the internal battle of wanting to maintain quality without succumbing to financial strain.
Jen Romolini [43:30]: "I saw the Strategist. I don't know. Or maybe it was wirecutter. Somebody tested a $45,000 mattress or something."
Listener Questions
Towards the end of the episode, Jen and Kim address listener-submitted questions, providing a personal touch and fostering a sense of community among their audience.
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Do you and Jen ever fight?
- Jen Romolini [47:25]: "We don't really fight. I think we really have a lot of patience for each other."
- Kim France [47:28]: "We don't really fight. I think there's an I don't give a shit."
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Is jealousy ever a good thing?
- Jen Romolini [48:49]: "Jealousy can be motivating. Professional jealousy has been a guiding force to what you really want."
- Kim France [49:37]: "There’s a kind of jealousy that has been pretty corrosive, but it can be motivating."
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What was the last fib you told and to whom?
- Jen Romolini [50:39]: "I told my husband he looked good in pants that didn’t."
- Kim France [51:07]: "Probably said I didn’t take edibles when I did."
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What was the last great meal you ate?
- Jen Romolini [51:45]: "At Night Market, the Thai restaurant in Silver Lake. Everything we ate was incredible."
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As there's a lot of talk about an upcoming recession, what are the things you would easily give up to save money?
- Jen Romolini [54:47]: "I would give up my bone broth subscription. I would not give up dyeing my hair."
- Kim France [55:25]: "I would not give up my hair. It’s a whole fucking thing."
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with Jen and Kim reflecting on their discussions, reiterating the importance of self-care, understanding personal limits, and supporting one another through the challenges of life over 40. Their honest and humorous dialogue provides both solace and practical advice for listeners navigating similar struggles.
Jen Romolini [57:05]: "If you like the show, please rate and review it across the platforms. It really helps people find the show."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Jen Romolini [02:20]: "I'm never not working. There's like, literally I'm sitting in a fucking bathroom with my face toward a toilet. It's ridiculous."
- Kim France [04:37]: "Recognizing that you're doing that, this is how you built your life, may be a good first step toward adjusting that."
- Jen Romolini [09:46]: "We're all kind of running on empty because this is a crazy time to be alive."
- Jen Romolini [14:20]: "The plane first. She was clearly probably like, she was like an enfeebled 81."
- Kim France [36:08]: "What's amazing right now is how much is getting passed off as fact."
- Jen Romolini [43:30]: "I don't want to know that I can't afford it."
- Kim France [47:25]: "Do you and Jen ever fight? We don't really fight."
Final Thoughts
"Runnin' On Empty" provides a profound exploration of the exhaustion many women face while juggling multiple roles and societal expectations. Through their engaging and honest conversations, Jen and Kim offer both empathy and actionable advice, reinforcing the podcast's mission to support women over 40 in navigating life's complexities.