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And I'm Emisha Gormley.
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We're two girls obsessed with one thing, beauty. And by that we mean everything that makes you look and feel beautiful.
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We're calling on our favorite health experts, industry insiders and friends to answer all.
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Your beauty questions with a drink in hand.
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Definitely with a drink in hand.
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You're listening to Lipstick on the Rim with Molly Sims. Oh, today's episode, oh my gosh. It's a, it's a very special one, I've gotta say. Not only is it our first episode with our new home Sony thank you. But today's guest is probably besides you, one of my favorite people in this world.
B
I think that she's like everybody's favorite person.
C
She is. We call her Saint Jen.
B
Yeah. We've wanted her on the show since we started the podcast.
C
She doesn't do podcasts. Okay. She's done them. She doesn't do them. But we've after I've bugged her and our manager Nicole Kingslocka for about a year. She's, she's done it under pressure, you guys. We love Jennifer Garner. She's an award winning actress, businesswoman and co founder of the leading childhood nutrition company Once Upon a Farm which she started seven years ago, which my children and I are obsessed with. She's a badass producer. She starred and produced in the hit Apple TV limited series the last thing he told me which we love this book and this limited because when of our favorite people Laura Dave, an incredible author wrote it and I think there's rumor that there's something could be a season due. Also appeared in Netflix comedies Family Switch gave me a part in yes Day which I hate her for it because our kids now say can I have a yes day every six months. Incredible actress, incredible philanthropist. She's a trustee with Save the Children. You know how much I love you. I cannot express when I look at a human that is organized who lives their life in the public with such grace and which is kind of what I want to talk about this episode. You just navigate it and you just keep on going in such a positive motivated that that's why like everyone loves.
B
Warm as someone who met you through Molly, you exude warmth Always, always.
C
And you're, I'm like, thank you. I'M like, what would Jen do? Like, in this moment, Would she yell like you do? She would not. She would not lose her shit. You know, she might.
D
She might, she might, she might.
C
But you're funny, you're kind, and you're giving, and we just love. There's so many topics. But I do kind of want to take a little bit of a look back at young Jen and how you started. And, you know, you're from Virginia. West Virginia.
D
West Virginia. Very different state. Yeah. Yeah. West Virginia is more. More in line with Kentucky than it is to me. Virginia. At least what I think of Kentucky.
C
West Virginia, yes. Very Southern. How did you get into acting?
D
Well, I was a ballet dancer growing up, and I had this amazing, tough ballet teacher who also taught at the high school, who also ran the local. She had a ballet school. She had the ballet company, the Appalachian Youth Jazz Ballet, and she also ran the Charleston Light Opera Guild, which is the excellent community theater in my hometown, Charleston, West Virginia. And she's still running it and is the director, choreographer, and she is somebody who goes to see theater in New York several times a year and, like, writes down the staging or the choreography. As she's watching, her hand is flying over the paper. Nobody could read what she's. What she's written, but she can. And Ms. Denton, I just. I wanted her approval. I still do. I mean, by the way, her name is Pasanetti, Mrs. Passanetti. But I still. I always tell her husband, I say, tom, I am so sorry. I cannot change. It is too ingrained. But Ms. Denton was like. She was everything to me. She was a mentor. She was so tough. I remember the day she told me she was proud of me. I had. I had won a scholarship for a summer intensive, a dance intensive at the North Carolina School of the Arts. And she wrote me a note and said, you know, as the head of the board of the West Virginia whatever, I'm very pleased to tell you that you've won this scholarship. And as your teacher, I want you to know I'm proud of you. It makes me choke up thinking about it, because those people in your life who ask so much of you, they are gold. Their gold. And I just. I hope whenever I see someone be tough on my kid, if they have integrity, I am just so grateful to them because that. That shapes you.
A
It shapes you.
C
We talk about that all the time. I believe you believe. We believe in the same. That, you know, someone really believing you and believing in your potential, but also being strong enough to get you there and build you up, but to hold you accountable and to, to your best ability.
D
Exactly.
B
It's a lot harder to be hard than it is to, oh, complacent and easy.
C
I mean, you started acting when.
D
Well, I never wanted. I didn't think I would be an actor. I didn't think that that was a possibility and I didn't think about it anyway. There's so many jobs I've always wanted to do. I still feel that way. I'm still like any minute in my 50s, I'm going to go back to school and study. I don't know, but it was just kind of what I did. And it was, it was a. It was like an extracurricular that took over my life. And so I danced every day after school. I taught ballet to the 3, 4 and 5 year olds. And then I would have my classes and then I would either have rehearsal for the dance company and whatever ballet we were working on, or I would have rehearsal with the Charleston Light Opera Guild. And so wherever Ms. Denton was, I was there. And it made me able to fit a lot, a lot in. And on Saturdays I would rehearse with one, On Sundays I would rehearse with the other. So I was pretty myopic, but it's still. My dad would sit me down and say, jennifer, it's wonderful that you're doing this, but shouldn't you be focusing just on something real to study in and to study for? And my older sister was valedictorian and she's brilliant. And I think he just so badly wanted me to follow her. And I was a good student, but I was definitely distracted, you know, when.
C
You were following a dream.
D
I wasn't though. It wasn't like it was a dream, it was a love I was following a love. I just had so much love for it. And I wanted. And I still feel that way. I still just really love it and I really wanna be better at it, but it's not ever been like, I have a dream to X, Y and Z. I don't see myself in that way. I just really love what I do. And it's always been hard for me and I really, really wanna do my best.
C
Always. I mean, I love it. What's been the most influential moment in your career? Like, was there a moment when you were like, okay, I can do this, I can. In terms of acting, when I was.
D
In sixth grade, I auditioned at another children's theater in my hometown for Hansel and Gretel. And there were like 40 girls that came out and I Didn't know anyone. I'd never auditioned for anything in my life, really. And I ended up playing Gretel. And I remember that being, like, getting that phone call as being such. I don't know. I think I felt like Melissa's little sister and Susanna's big sister. I didn't really feel like myself so much. So that was one really major moment. It was in sixth grade, and then I would think, you know, JJ handing me the pilot of Alias and said, I've written something with you in mind, but you'll have to audition, see if you like it. And I stood in one spot and read it. Cover like, I couldn't sit down. It was so good. I couldn't even pull out a chair. And I called him and I said, I don't even know what to say. What do I need to do? And so that was when I finally got it after so many auditions. That was another moment. Not that I thought, I've got this. I've never felt that way. But it was just, like, it was so affirming.
B
Was there a favorite role that you had? Like, in hindsight, was it Alias?
D
I mean, it's hard to beat. It's really hard to beat because you.
C
Got to be everything every day, everything. You got to be a fun, pretty cool song.
D
It redefined me to myself. It made me tougher. It made me more confident to play Sidney Bristow. And that was 20 some years ago now. And I just. Like yesterday. Yeah, but it's a long time. And so. Yeah, that. And then I'm so defined by 13 going on 30 that I can't help. But also, we were. And we were so excited, and it was. It was Judy Greer and Mark Ruffalo and me. And all three of us, it was the biggest paycheck we'd ever had. It was the biggest role we'd ever had. And we just couldn't believe it. We were all doing it together. And so we have a real. And we loved our director, who has since died of brain cancer, but we had. There was such a sweetness to that.
C
So what's your favorite memory from that movie?
D
Shooting in New York with the two of them? Like, being outside all night shooting with Mark by the Brooklyn Bridge, or, you know, Judy and me, like, sneaking a breakfast or lunch somewhere or a glass of wine after work and just being like, I cannot believe they put us up at the Four Seasons. I cannot. We just couldn't get over it.
B
I need to watch that with the girls. I feel like it's such a Good movie to watch with them now.
D
Yeah, they're starting to be the right age.
B
They're gonna love it.
D
It makes me happy how happy it makes people.
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I'm a total carb girl. I love carbs. But here's the thing. I still want to feel good about what I'm eating. That's why I'm obsessed with Herobred. I don't know if you guys have heard it, but it's all the comfort food you love, but with the nutrition that actually fits with my goals without feeling like I'm giving up anything. Herobrite covers all the bases. Sliced bread, tortillas, bagels, dinner rolls, and now Hero noodles. Oh, that's right, yes, noodles. They have more protein and 60% fewer calories than the best selling noodles. We're talking only 5 grams net carbs, zero sugar, 12 grams of protein and 32 grams of fiber per serving. And guess what? They Taste amazing, Emisha and I love them. Honestly, the first time I tried Herobread, I was a little bit shocked. The texture is soft, fluffy, and exactly what you expect from your favorite bakery, bread. Their bagels are my weekday breakfast lifesaver and their noodles. Oh my God. My kids have been requesting Mac and cheese every night. What I love most is there is no compromise. It's ultra low net carbs, high in fiber and zero sugar. But you'd never know it from the taste. Herobred is offering 10% off your first order. Go to HERO CO. Use code LIPSTICK at checkout. That's lipstick. H E R O CO this week.
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On Lipstick on the Rim, we sat.
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Down with the one and only Rachel Zo.
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And wow. This episode is a ride. We talked about everything. Motherhood, divorce, finding herself again, joining Real Housewives literally overnight. And then she said this.
E
Can I tell you a true story in Covid? In the darkness of COVID I had a cat eye every single day where nobody saw me. Not one soul. And when I had Covid, not even my ex husband saw me or my children. And you know what I did? I went in to my bathroom, I did a black liquid liner, put on lashes, black liner in the waterline, a full lip, did my hair and sat in my bed. And that is what I did. And I looked at myself and I said, you are not a well person. I said, are you fucking okay? You have 104 fever. You are like contagion right now.
D
If you love fashion, beauty or bravo.
A
This Rachel Zo episode is a must.
D
It's out now.
C
It's no secret you've been through a lot. You just lost your dad. How, you know, how do you. And I think everybody, if they could sit down with you, would ask you this question. How do you remain so positive?
D
Molly, of all people, you know better than anyone that I don't. All the time, you kind of are where you are. And you just have to find the friends who can handle that for you. And think of how many times I showed up at your house and just started crying because you were safe and you were somebody that I could do that with. And that's not. That's nothing to be taken lightly. I don't take that lightly. And I don't take that for granted. But we have to allow ourselves to not be perfect all the time. To not be in the mood all the time. To not be smiley. To not be. And you just were. I remember you throwing a party and I. I walked in and I just was not ready to Be around people for whatever I was going through at the time. And I got super, super weepy and emotional and you just stopped and helped me and said, what do you need to do? And I said, I think I should go home. And you were like, okay, great, let me walk you to your car. And you gave me a hug and you sent me on my way. And that was exactly. It's. It's. We just. We need each other. And we also need to give ourselves and each other permission to be where we are and to just have faith in the. In the sun on the other side of the clouds.
C
Also, that feeling safe, you know, like that feeling that you can cry, you can have a breakdown, you can curse of the other person and they're not going to judge you for it. And it's. Yes, I know. I guess even though I know you and I know what you've gone through, you still, you have the ability to. And I talk a lot with Emisha about this. It's like you kind of go up the mountain, then you kind of go down the mountain a little bit. You kind of go up the mountain. You don't get stuck at the bottom of the mountain. Right? Like, you know, dealing with grace or dealing, you know, things that I've gone through, I think it's really important, like.
B
To feel the feelings. But you also, I think for me, I'm an optimist. I'm always going to be. The glass has to be half full or else I don't know how I process anything. And I think you feel them, you.
C
As a mom too, even with your kids and your life and you have built kids and yourself who have resilience.
D
Well, God willing, yeah. Yeah. I mean, first of all, Emisha, you've been through the. One of the things that every parent fears the very, very, very most. And watching you, the little bit that I have with your family, with your daughter, with the. How you wrapped an unbelievable situation, an impossible situation up in a veneer of normalcy to keep life moving forward and keep life normal as much as possible and to protect the part of herself of your, of your daughter who was. Am I going to identify as a sick person or am I going to identify as a little kid who's going through something and like, just from the outside in, that's been really incredible. And I hope that you have every chance to, when you're ready, just continue to share that message with people, because that's. What you have done is beautiful.
A
Thank you.
B
You know, I don't know what the right Answer is, I think for me, it was like, eye on the prize. Get through and let her feel normal. And I think, you know, I think all three of us here are mothers who we put our children first, and we put anything that we're feeling on the back burner because they see what we are.
A
Right.
B
Like, I think if there's one message I have.
D
Yeah, look. To the flight attendant.
B
Exactly. And if I'm calm, they're calm. And if I'm crying and I am weeping and afraid, they are crying and weeping and afraid. And it's like, that is my biggest takeaway. And I think, you know, that's how you.
A
I think.
B
And from the outside, again with you, like, your children are resilient because you're resilient.
C
And it's such. I mean, I see it. Your kids are amazing.
D
It's incredible. It really is incredible. And I think that there's a. Between the three of us. I mean, grace is the perfect word and the perfect embodiment of her name.
A
The.
D
That we give a situation, each other, ourselves. I give myself a lot of grace. I'm like, well, I couldn't do it today. I did not. This is. This was not a day where I was all things to all people.
C
You know, I was worried about something, and she was like, it's okay to worry, but then you're gonna be done with it after a day. And I'm like, okay. Like, then I was done. Like, you know, you do that. You hold me accountable all the time. You're like, okay, we're gonna have a cry. We'll have a moment, and then we're gonna move on. And it's not compartmentalizing. It's just being in that moment and feeling it. Like, I think that is when you allow yourself to have those moments, I think, as opposed to just, like, constantly going. Like, sometimes I can just fill the void with work or with things, and I have to be careful not to, you know, just keep going. Because then I kind of.
D
I think all of us do. That's a real thing. I mean, I think that you probably really do have trauma to process, Emisha.
B
You know, of course you do, and definitely do. Comes out in weird moments.
D
Yeah, of course. I think all of us do in our own ways. Every human does. You're not going to get through the human experience without having something that you're just like, God, I cannot. You know, in the dead of the night. I think about a moment in college that I wish I'd handled differently or I wish hadn't happened to me or I wish. And that's in beautiful lives that are so lucky and have food and safety and, you know, that's like, in the best possible outcome. We still have our stuff, right?
B
You're having a bad day. What gets you through it?
D
Well, I'm a big believer in movement is medicine. You know, you've gotta, like, move sometimes to shift.
C
You work with an incredible trainer, Beth with the Limit.
D
I think Beth Nicely, she is.
C
If anybody's looking for a program that will kick your ass and make you look. Look like Elektra, Beth from the Limit will do that.
D
She will, but she really will. All of the stuff that she has online and the classes that she offers on Zoom or in New York City are really for all levels. And she's very much just show up where you are and then every day work to your limit and then a little past. So she has definitely made me strong. But more than that, I'm happier when I. When I have really, like, pushed the blood through my veins. You know, I need that. So there's that. But I definitely, you know, if you wake up and you have a cloud over your head, I acknowledge it. I'm like, I've got to get this cry done. I got to find someone to get a cry taken care of. But more than that, it's like just being around people with whom you can laugh and who laugh at you.
C
And you have a good group of girls.
D
Yeah, I have. I am really, really good at women. And I have wonderful, incredible women around me all the way around, like, 360 view of women.
C
Speaking of Deadpool, how. How. What was that? So walk us through, because you looked incredible. I know you trained because I saw you like, what did give us what you.
B
And you can jump up an actress that's like so tall as I am.
C
Jump on a box.
B
I am sure you can jump my height.
D
Yeah, I do some box jumps. I did some this morning, but. Okay, let's see. Well, it would have been a few months of very, very intense training because I know how to do that. I know what that was fine. And then the strike happened. And that she was like, I'm ready. I'm ready.
B
I remember that. That was in the. That was not this summer, but last summer.
D
I got to London to shoot in the best shape I had been in. And I got to London on a Wednesday and they said, okay, Los Angeles, we have. The strike was just ratified. We have until 9am tomorrow morning in Los Angeles to get done everything we want to get done today. So I had all my costume fittings. I had a stunt rehearsal. I had a wig fitting. I had a camera test. I did everything in that time. But by 5pm in London, I think it was. They were like, you have to be off the lot. So then I just had to stay in that kind of shape for the next six months. Was it.
C
Oh, my God.
D
And I was in better shape before the strike than I was after, to be honest. Although, cardiovascularly, I might have been in better shape. But, yeah, it was just two hours a day, and it was a really hard workout. And then the second workout was either. I do a lot of boxing when I'm training for. I boxed today. Boxing is the hardest thing on the planet. Somebody holding mitts for you. I have a great trainer that I love. He's Flaco. He's very funny.
C
But you like working out?
D
I do. I like discipline. I like things that ask a lot of you. I like to be disciplined about something. And so the second workout would either be Flaco, or it would be. Or Beth would give me homework and my stunt double, and I called it bad homework. And we would text each other back and forth and be like, have you done your bad homework? No. Have you? Yes. Okay, I'm gonna start mine.
C
Is it hard?
D
What?
C
Is it harder to do it now than it was before?
D
Yes. Yeah. Hell, yeah.
A
But do you think you're stronger now.
B
Than you were when you were 25?
D
No, I don't. Okay. No, because I was in. I was very strong for all that stuff. No, it's. It's definitely harder. There are not diminishing returns, but it's not that. It's not the same. But you know what? That's okay. I'm happy to just feel great where I am.
B
Do you find when you work out that much? Because I know the answer for me is yes. That you're hungrier.
D
Oh, yeah. I definitely eat more.
C
That's starving.
B
You have to eat smarter, too, right?
D
Yeah, I just. I can't. I can only worry so much about food. I'm a really good eater, but I love food. I do, too. I just can't. If I restrict myself too much, I. That's not good for me.
C
Can we talk about your pretend cooking show? Because.
B
Oh, my God, your mother is the cutest.
C
I love her so much.
D
Oh, my gosh. Sweetest.
C
Have you always loved being in the kitchen?
D
Well, my mom made all our food. She was a farm girl, so her mom truly made everything. Her mom made biscuits in the morning and then cornbread for Dinner and supper, which is lunch and dinner. So did literally every day. Every day of the world.
C
My grandmother's mama bone and then gran, they would compete, even though they didn't. Weren't competing. I was competing because who made better biscuits? My gran made a thinner biscuit, and then my mama bone made. My grandma made thicker, like, more of a fluffier biscuit.
D
So which kind do you prefer?
C
You know, I loved the thin. I love the thin, crisp, buttery. To make the chocolate pies.
D
Oh, my gosh.
B
I love a biscuit.
D
Now I'm like, okay, I'm gonna make a biscuit tomorrow.
C
Can you make a biscuit?
D
Yeah.
C
No, you can't.
D
Yes, you can.
C
I can make a biscuit.
D
Yes, you can.
B
What's your favorite thing to make a biscuit?
C
She makes homemade bread.
D
My favorite thing are doughs. Usually. Like, the other night, I made English muffins. That's an old favorite. It's the huckleberry recipe.
C
I love huckleberry.
D
Yeah. Have you ever had their English muffins? They're perfect. They're super easy to make.
C
You know how to make them?
D
I will show you how to make them. They're very, very easy to make, and everyone's happy. And then the next day you toast them, and they're. You just can't believe how good a homemade.
C
But doesn't it take, like, two days to make the dough and the ye. Like the.
D
It's just not that hard once you've done it. If you have to do it like anything. Any recipe you do three times in a row. You just like. Your kids are like, are you doing this again? You're like, yeah. Cause I have to get it in my brain and body. And then you start to own it. And then you start to be like, oh, I'm gonna start this now. Then I'm gonna go do this. And it's.
B
That's my pulled pork. I make a pulled pork.
D
She loves. Really Yum.
A
And it's.
B
My husband literally said to me the other day, he was, please, please do not make pulled pork again. Because we eat it for days after. Because I, like, buy £4. He's like, I just can't look at pulled pork.
C
What is it like in the kitchen with Ina Garten?
D
Do.
C
Do tell us.
B
How was Ina for Halloween last year?
C
She was. Ina has a new book out, by the way.
D
She has an. I've read it. It's incredible. And since this will come out after this is happening, I'm having lunch with her tomorrow. No, Friday at Farm shop.
C
No, you're not.
B
Molly might show up, by the way. She might be like, oh, my God, jk, I'm here.
C
I didn't know that.
D
Yeah. Well, I can't wait to see her. I really have. We've really. We have a friendship. I really love her. She's incredible, her and Jeffrey.
B
I love Jeffrey, by the way. I love Jeffrey.
D
Read her memoir. You will be blown away by her life, by her point of view on life, by her entrepreneurship, what she's been through and what she and Jeffrey have been through and how they've prioritized each other and themselves at the same time. I mean, really incredible.
C
Oh, my God.
B
Oh, I need to read it.
C
Once Upon a Farm. Seven years.
D
Seven years. I know. I'm really so proud of it.
C
I mean, it's unbelievable. Like, you run a million dollar strategy.
B
I don't.
C
Well, Chief Brand Officer, does it rhyme?
D
Yeah. Yes. I do not pretend. John Foraker runs it. Thank God. Cause Sondra Curtis is our. She originates. She's the OG from her garage and her kitchen and farmer's markets and a little refrigerated van. And then John and I joined the same day seven years ago. And that. It's just been a really happy partnership.
C
And tell us about the company, where you see it, where it was, where you see it going.
D
Well, she was making homemade, refrigerated hpp, which is a different way of doing food safety. So that you can keep all the texture, the nutrients, the vitamins, all the freshness of fresh food in, but you get rid of anything scary. It's very, very, very safe. And she was trying to take it to market and being successful at kind of Jimbos in San Diego. And then she was also having some success in the Northeast with Whole Foods. And John and I came on board. Nicole found it, and our manager friend, our bestie.
C
Yeah.
D
And Nicole found it. And we were just like. I was like, oh, my gosh, this would have solved such a problem for me as a mom. I would have used this 100%. There is nothing cleaner better out there. And then I met John, who was an angel investor, and he had run Annie's and sold it, but was still working with Annie's at General Mills. And he and I, our whole conversation was about mission. Cause I said, I love this company, but I can't imagine working for a company that is only selling to kids in, you know, the west side of LA or Greenwich, Connecticut, or, you know, I just. How can we democratize this nutrition and what we've. What we're learning here from what Cassandra's been able to do. And he and I agreed on a handshake that we would try to, we would join and try to do that. So one of the first things we did early on is we began, came up with a line that is WIC available? WIC is women, infant and children. It's a government funded way to feed pregnant women, nursing women and or people who are pregnant or nursing and then children from birth to five so that you know that kids are gonna get some kind of nutrition when they're babies. And I had gone shopping through Save the Children with different moms and seen the way what WIC was available, what WIC looked like, how gross it was for babies, and just said, oh my gosh. The dream would be for us to have a fresh refrigerated WIC line. And we do in 19 states. And we're growing. We just. Seven years it's taken. I mean, John seriously was googling state by state. How do I knock over, you know, what states have? Organic? Because a lot of states don't even accept organic as a possibility. Is that crazy? That's crazy. So anyway, it's getting better and we are, you know, we're, we're out there and available. So it's really. Yeah, but I got sidetracked. Now we have, you know, we have all kinds of pouches. We have our immunity blends, which are delicious, by the way.
C
Adults can use them.
B
You can, you can throw them in a smoothie.
C
Throw them in a smoothie, put them in your garment yourself. They're amazing.
D
Beth, my trainer, she's about to run the New York City Marathon. And when she runs, and her brother's a marathoner as well, and both of them just swear by Once Upon a Farm because there's no sugar added ever. So it's really even energy. It's super easily digested. So kids who are going through treatment, or adults who are going through treatment, or people who've had jaw surgery or anything, it's been so incredibly helpful to people. And it's like just this wonderful blends of fruits and veggies. And the immunity blends have all kinds of things that boost and support your immune. And then we have these delicious no sugar added bars, which everyone wants a bar for their kids, but they're like candy bars and you feel crazy. So to give your kid a no sugar added delicious bar and you know.
C
Yeah, I mean, it's incredible what you've done and also how early, I mean.
B
You were ahead of the Game.
C
You were ahead of the game. Because now it's like you're looking at, like, you know, red 40 and all the different preservatives and sugar. This whole fruit loop.
D
Yeah, kids deserve better. They deserve. You know, it really matters what you put in a child body. And Cassandra knew that from the very, very beginning. She has been super involved with the clean project. And we were clean project certified, and then first thousand days certified, meaning that we go even further in our baby food to make sure that we don't have sugar, we do have greens or vegetables we don't have. And we test like crazy for everything to make sure that our food is safe and healthy.
C
You have three kids. You cook dinners, lunches, breakfast, a lot. Like, what is one thing that your kids love or you love that. That a family or someone listening? Because we have a big community of moms here that you're like, okay, this is easy. This go to meal. Your go to meal.
D
I have a few. But one of the go to meals for sure is like a turkey. Turkey taco meat, like burrito, ground turkey, taco seasoning. I'm not even kidding. And then a dozen cousins, you know that company black beans. Their black beans are. They're already flavored. They're organic. They're great. Dozen cousin black beans, the turkey with the. With taco seasoning. And then I make a little guacamole and whatever else. Boom.
C
Is there something you would never allow in the house in terms of, like, food, Snacks?
D
Oh, gosh.
C
I mean, but your kids always eat.
D
Well, they eat pretty. No, they've definitely had their buttered noodle phases, but I did too. And I still love them so much. So I don't know. I don't get. I just. I try not to get too freaked out about any of it. I have no need for. So like my mom, we didn't have processed food at all. Not because my mom thought of it that way. It was expensive, so we had only what she could make.
B
Yeah.
D
And so I'm not one to love having processed food around.
B
Everything was fresh made.
C
Everything. Everything. You know, We gotta talk a little bit about beauty.
D
Okay, good.
B
You inspired me to buy Neutrogena face wipes, by the way.
D
Good.
A
Many years ago.
B
And now I'm addicted.
D
Do you know they make compostable ones as well now?
A
No, I did not.
C
I use them every day.
D
Yeah, they are so helpful. They protect your eyelashes when you have mascara on. You know what I mean? You don't have to rub, rub, rub.
C
They're really good I buy them in bulk. I truly, I use them today, I use them last night if I have any leftover like mascara. And when I travel, they are my absolute non negotiable. Go to.
D
They're, they're on my counter right now.
C
I love them. I love them. I love them.
D
Especially when I'm working. I start with those and then I wash my face after. You know, you just, you should never ever.
B
It's like a pre cleanse.
D
Yeah. You should never ever, ever go to bed with makeup.
C
What other products do you like?
D
You know, we are so lucky and we have access to so many fancy products. But I have learned and I've worked for Neutrogena for I don't even know, 17 years or something. And so over the years, you know, in order to do a commercial for it, you have to use it. Right. So that you are speaking the truth. So I think you think you're good. You've done it first. I think you're speaking your truth. Seventeen years, yeah. So over the years I just have used until I stopped even wanting to use anything else. I really do. To the exclusion of all else. If you came to my house right now, you would see the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair, all the retinol products.
C
That's a great product.
D
They are great and they've been so tested for safety that you are, you are in such good shape. Like they even have a retinol eye cream that you can use around your eyes. It will never get in your eyes. It won't sting.
C
It doesn't sting. It doesn't make your eyes red.
B
Your skin is impeccable.
C
Also the retinol, what I love about it, it doesn't make you feel dry, it doesn't dry you out.
D
Yeah. And then the hyaluronic acid I think is also excellent by Nutrigen. And the main, main, main thing is, and this is like, you know, I've been on this kick for, since I started working with them is that you know, skin cancer is the most preventable kind of cancer and we just have to use sunscreen and the sun is stronger than we were kids. And we are the generation that grew up one way and we have to shift the way we think and we have to do it for our kids so that they just always have it habitually as part of their thing.
C
Is such a, you know, going back to what you said, it's just such a well tested. You can rely on it. Like we use the sunscreen as well.
B
Yeah, I use it on my kids.
C
I use it on my kids, of course.
D
And then you have every different kind. And your kid can decide if they want. If they're going to be outside doing sports or in the water. Then you want the beach defense. If it's. It's, you know, if it's you, maybe you like the mineral sunscreen and you.
C
Actually like the beach.
B
Yeah, I use the beach always. What do you have on your skin right now? Is it tinted moisturizer? Like, your skin's very glowy?
D
Yeah, it's just a tinted moisturizer. Beautiful.
C
What's one of the best makeup secrets or tip you've learned from from being on set all these years?
D
Focus on your eyebrows. Gotta have eyebrows.
C
Yes, you do.
D
And it's really, you know, as you mature and become more fabulous, as you level up, as my child says to me, like every birthday, my child is like, you leveled up, mom. But you know what? The truth is, I have been scared to do anything. And someday I will feel like, oh, I should. And then so I don't hold any hard lines anywhere, ever. And I have a lot of grace for all of us because we're all just trying to keep our jobs and feel okay doing it.
C
I think being scared is okay a little bit. We're scared, but we're gonna do it. At one point, we're gonn do everything. Are there any, like, skincare treatments, like micro needling lasers, anything that you love or, like a go to?
D
I haven't done them yet. And I always, you know, I always ask you, like, okay, someday I need to do a laser, but I just haven't.
C
Skin is great.
B
Your skin's beautiful.
C
You know, I think the one like.
D
And it's hyaluronic acid.
C
When you look at, you know, being with a company with Neutrogena for so long, like, I will say, like, consistency is the magic.
D
Yeah.
C
You know, and, you know, taking off your makeup, putting on sunscreen, like, those are everything. Make a huge difference.
D
Nothing better in your 50s than sunscreen in your 20s. Doris Day.
C
Doris Day.
B
Doris Day. Oh, we love Doris.
C
Oh, you do?
D
Oh, my God. I met her, like, 10 years ago.
B
Used to do my Botox years ago.
D
Oh, my gosh.
C
Before we get to rapid fire, what's next for Jennifer Garner?
D
Oh, thank you.
A
What's next?
D
What is next? Well, I'm about to start season two of the last thing you told me, which is why I was boxing, because I have to box in it just for a minute. But you can't box for a minute. Without like, a month or two of hard training. Yeah, you just. I have to even be able to sustain. It's just the hardest thing in the world. So I have to. To get back on that drive, and then. Yeah, it's really. It's that. And Once Upon a Farm has been super busy. I've been traveling a ton to retailers, to suppliers. I love going to meet the. The Stemlt family who grow our apples or the spinach people or go to manufacturing plants. And I love going to retailers and love having. I just like relationships. I like knowing people, you know, I like knowing the people who.
C
And they like knowing you. And one charity that we have to give a call out because from where we're from, it is honestly, I mean, eastern children. Yeah. Eastern Kentucky, West Virginia. Like, you cannot imagine. What you have done is incredible. And what they've done, they do it together.
D
They do it. I'm grateful to get to be involved, but yeah. I mean, you know, when you're from places like where we're from, you see generational rural poverty, and it's very easy from the outside to say, well, you know, pick yourself up by your bootstraps. But sometimes you can't.
C
It's not fair.
D
Yeah. If you don't have bootstraps to help yourself with, like, it's just not fair. And all of these problems, really, the reason they're generational is they're passed down to little, little babies. You know, the thing that makes the biggest difference in your possibilities for success are the zip code where you're from. And so we have to look at those zip codes, and we have to give those moms, dads, caregivers, families, babies the leg up to take advantage of kindergarten, to take advantage of what's available in our education system. And our education system is so burdened by kids who didn't have any kind of. Nobody was reading to them because nobody read to their parents. And not that. Not in a shaming way. We have to take the shame out of it, and we just have to look for solutions that work. And Save the Children is full of those solutions.
C
And we're about, you know, coming on the holiday season, so. So it's a really good charity if you want to, like, if you're doing any corporate gifting or family gifting or just you want to help someone. Save the Children is an incredible, beautiful organization.
D
Thank you. It's number two in the world in size for kids to unicef, but where we work in America, so whatever you care about for kids, we're doing it but in America, the hardest to reach places and the hardest to reach kids are rural.
C
All right, before we leave, we do a little fun. Rapid fire. Favorite cocktail.
D
Oh, well, you really taught me to like a Paloma. Yeah.
A
What's the.
C
If I'm at your house, I have.
D
A Paloma, But I really like a glass of wine.
B
What's the worst beauty advice you've ever received?
D
I didn't have to receive it. I am my own worst beauty advice. If you look at any pictures of me all the way through college, if I have makeup on. I wore my theater makeup, and it was ballet makeup, and it was pancake makeup on my face. I looked like a. I don't even wanna say what I looked like. It's like I have a white circle. It's so bad. It's so, so bad.
B
You might need a visual.
D
Yeah, it's pretty easy to find.
C
Text, call or FaceTime.
D
Text or call.
B
What's your favorite quote or mantra?
D
There's so many. They all come from my mom, which means that from my mom, they all come from, like, Mrs. Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie or Anne of Green Gables or the Bible, or all the above. Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning. Is one. Happiness is your own responsibility. Is vintage Pat Garner. Never expect a man. Don't marry a man thinking you can change him. I'm really gonna. I'm gonna really work on that one. Yeah.
C
Are you an early. I know this one, but are you an early bird or night owl?
D
Early bird.
C
Stage fright or confident queen?
D
Both.
B
What's your favorite dessert?
D
Oh, chocolate.
C
What's your.
D
I know she doesn't like fashion, so I have to ask you this, but.
C
What'S, like, your favorite piece of. In your wardrobe?
D
Oh, my gosh. She doesn't like clothes. Molly. My favorite piece of my wardrobe. I don't even know what anything is.
B
I mean, she has the best bag right there.
C
I just wanna grab.
D
Yeah. Cause you know why? I was with Nicole, and she was like, I can't handle you carrying a backpack anymore. You are 52 years old. She might have discussed it with me. She's like, I can't take it. We are getting you something. So this is a man's messenger bag, and it was our compromise.
B
It's beautiful, though.
D
Well, thank you.
C
Yeah.
D
Anything you like that you see, I had nothing to do with.
B
But you and Nicole inspired my sunglass purchase. I just bought a Jacques Marie Maje two days ago.
D
Oh, right. You know, I am a pretty good shopper. I can walk into a store I know and I can pick out what I like. It's just incredible gifts.
C
She got me these Alaia that I just wore in Paris in September.
B
I liked those.
C
The net with the heel. And I would have never bought them for myself.
B
Oh, you bought them for her?
D
Yeah.
C
I love it. Another good.
B
But my competition. Hold on a second.
D
I get stuff home and then I don't. I. I mean, I. I have a lot of really beautiful clothes and I love them.
C
You should have help you in.
B
Can I put your outfits. Can I come over and put outfits together for you?
D
A thousand times yes.
B
I'll put outfits together. It's like my favorite thing to do.
C
You're. You know what she's good at? Casual outfits.
B
Casual day. That's what I did.
D
I need jeans and a.
B
And they look cute, you know?
D
Yeah. Look at you. Million dollars. I couldn't do that.
C
Well, she's a shopping addiction, so that's. That's another episode. Wait, what food do you eat every day?
D
What? Salad.
C
You mean salad greens?
D
Yeah.
C
Okay. What's your favorite type of cuisine to cook?
D
Well, I really just cook mom food. You know, I really make a mean pizza. I make a mean roast. Anything.
B
Favorite type of food to eat when you go out.
D
Well, really, I. I really will like anything. I mean, I. I don't mind a Polo Bar night with Molly, but then you know you're gonna be sad the next day because you've eaten way overeaten everything.
C
I try everything. By the way, if you're ever in New York and you go to the Polo Bar and look to your left.
D
And Molly will be there.
C
The hot dogs that are the pigs in a blanket. Pigs in a blanket are. I know it's disgusting, but they're the single best thing I.
B
Other burgers. So I always get a burger.
C
So everything is good. I know this one. But planner or glow with go with the flow.
D
I'm actually very not type A.
B
She has a notebook on her lap.
D
Guys. I always have a notebook on my lap.
C
You mean you're not type A?
D
Of course you're type A. No, I'm actually not. But I overcompensate because I'm so afraid for getting my kids somewhere. I do. I do see doodles because I sit in meetings. I sit in meetings and I have to write everything down or I won't pay attention. I'll just start being like la, la la. Or I'll just open my phone and I'll be like, shit, Jennifer, you're In a meeting, look professional. So I write it all down so I can remember. I always do. I always get made up. Fun of too.
C
They make fun of me, by the way. I do the same thing. Like I will have like 74 notebooks, but if I write it down, I remember it.
D
Yeah, me too.
C
It's like a weird thing. We always ask every guest before they go. What advice would you give your 10 year old little self?
D
Oh, I would really. I do know what I would say to my 10 year old self. I would say that everything you learn, everything you work hard on and learn, no matter how silly it is, if it's solving a Rubik's Cube, if it's learning another language, if it's like going deep on Dungeons and Dragons, whatever it is, you'll be happier for it. You're happier the more you know you're happier. If you go into a museum and you recognize a couple of paintings, those are the ones you want to go see. So it's all, all worthwhile, even though it feels not sometimes. Just don't be afraid of following whatever geeky passions you have and enjoy them. Even if it's like Chekhov and musical theater and even like now. I love ballet so much, there was no way I was ever gonna be a professional dancer. I don't live in New York, but I care so much about the ballerinettes that I love and I just am. So I'm rooting for them hard and they know it. And every little girl or boy that wants to dance, I root for them too.
C
Okay, Jennifer Garner has five other jobs. She has to leave, so we are gonna say goodbye.
D
Thank you though.
B
This was so fun.
D
Okay, now I do do podcasts only with you guys. Thank you.
C
We'll see you guys next week.
A
See you next week.
C
Thanks for listening to Lipstick on the Rim with Molly Sims and my Ride or Die. Emisha Gormalan. We are so excited to bring you guys along on this journey with us. You can find us on Instagram and TikTok at Lipstick on the Rim and Mollybsims. Or you can go to my blog where you can dive just a little bit deeper into my favorite products, trends and more@mollysims.substack.com and don't forget to check out our video episodes on my YouTube channel, Molly Sims. This podcast is production with Sony Music. I wanted to give a special thanks to my team, Rosie Cummings, Kenna Ryan, Sophie Kevorkin and everyone @ Sony.
D
Music.
C
Music. Don't forget to listen and follow wherever you get your podcast so you never miss out on the.
Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Molly Sims & Emese (Emisha) Gormley
Guest: Jennifer Garner
In this special RE-RUN episode of “Lipstick on the Rim,” co-hosts Molly Sims and Emese Gormley welcome their longtime friend and universally-beloved actress, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Jennifer Garner. The conversation weaves through Jennifer’s upbringing, her rise in Hollywood, life as a mother and entrepreneur, and explores how she maintains optimism amidst personal heartbreak. Throughout the episode, listeners are treated to Jennifer's warmth, humor, and candid reflections on resilience, friendship, food, and self-care.
[05:15 – 09:39]
[09:39 – 12:30]
[16:31 – 18:47]
[18:47 – 22:25]
[22:25 – 26:18]
[26:39 – 34:37]
[29:40 – 33:51]
[36:17 – 40:18]
[41:44 – 43:37]
On mentorship:
“Those people in your life who ask so much of you, they are gold... that shapes you.” (Jennifer, 06:59)
On honesty with emotions:
“We have to allow ourselves to not be perfect all the time... give ourselves permission to be where we are.” (Jennifer, 16:46)
On family routines:
“My mom made all our food. She was a farm girl, so her mom truly made everything.” (Jennifer, 26:50)
On company mission:
“Kids deserve better. They deserve… it really matters what you put in a child’s body.” (Jennifer, 34:05)
On beauty wisdom:
“Nothing better in your 50s than sunscreen in your 20s.” (Jennifer, 40:27)
On giving advice to her younger self:
“Everything you work hard on and learn, no matter how silly it is... you’ll be happier for it. Don’t be afraid to follow whatever geeky passions you have.” (Jennifer, 48:44)
Original, heartfelt, and as comforting as a homemade biscuit, this episode is an uplifting celebration of compassion, growth, and the practical optimism Jennifer Garner brings to every area of her life.