Lipstick on the Rim: RE-RUN – Jennifer Garner on Heartbreak, Hope, and How She Really Stays So Positive

Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Molly Sims & Emese (Emisha) Gormley
Guest: Jennifer Garner

Episode Overview

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.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Life & The Power of Mentorship

[05:15 – 09:39]

• Jennifer describes growing up in West Virginia and the influence of her ballet teacher, Mrs. Denton (later clarified as Mrs. Passanetti), who fostered discipline and ambition.
  • Quote: “Those people in your life who ask so much of you, they are gold. I hope whenever I see someone be tough on my kid, if they have integrity, I am just so grateful to them, because that shapes you.” (Jennifer, 06:59)
• Acting began as an extracurricular activity; she never considered it a “dream,” but rather a “love” she followed.

2. Career Defining Moments

[09:39 – 12:30]

• Significant milestones: landing her first role as Gretel in sixth grade; being offered “Alias” by J.J. Abrams.
  • Quote: “J.J. handed 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.’... I stood in one spot and read it, I couldn’t even pull out a chair.” (Jennifer, 10:08)
• Alias was transformative for Jennifer—making her tougher and more confident.
• 13 Going on 30 holds a special place for its camaraderie and sense of “Can you believe we’re doing this?” with co-stars.

3. On Heartbreak, Positivity & Friendship

[16:31 – 18:47]

• Jennifer opens up about grief and maintaining optimism, especially after the loss of her father.
  • Quote: “You just have to find the friends who can handle that for you. We have to allow ourselves to not be perfect all the time... and give ourselves and each other permission to be where we are.” (Jennifer, 16:46)
• The hosts and Jennifer discuss the importance of safe friendships—spaces where authenticity and vulnerability meet.
• Emese’s daughter’s health journey is highlighted as an example of resilience and “wrapping an impossible situation in a veneer of normalcy.” (Jennifer, 18:55)

4. Motherhood & Resilience Through Grace

[18:47 – 22:25]

• As mothers, all three agree on modeling resilience and emotional regulation for their kids.
• Jennifer highlights the “grace” needed for oneself and others: “I give myself a lot of grace. I’m like, well, I couldn’t do it today. I did not—this was not a day I was all things to all people.” (Jennifer, 20:54)
• Acknowledging and processing trauma—Jennifer advocates for feeling emotions fully, then moving forward.

5. Movement, Fitness & The Deadpool Regimen

[22:25 – 26:18]

• Jennifer credits movement as key to mental and physical well-being: “I’m a big believer in movement is medicine. You’ve got to move sometimes to shift.” (Jennifer, 22:28)
• Details her intensive training for Deadpool, working with trainer Beth Nicely (“The Limit”) and boxing instructor Flaco.
• Candid about the challenges of training as she gets older, preferring discipline over perfection.

6. Food, Family, and Kitchen Joy

[26:39 – 34:37]

• Food culture in Jennifer’s family: “My mom made all our food… biscuits in the morning, cornbread for dinner.” (Jennifer, 26:50)
• Loves making homemade English muffins (Huckleberry recipe); passes down kitchen traditions to her kids.
• Shares quick family-friendly meals like turkey taco bowls with Dozen Cousins black beans.
• On processed foods: prefers to limit them, but isn’t overly strict—she strives for balance.

7. Once Upon a Farm – Mission & Growth

[29:40 – 33:51]

• Describes the evolution of her organic kids’ food company and its social mission.
  • Once Upon a Farm started with co-founder Cassandra and has expanded to serve a wider demographic through WIC-approved products.
  • “How can we democratize this nutrition?... Kids deserve better. What you put in a child’s body really matters.” (Jennifer, 34:05)
• Products benefit adults and children—used by everyone from marathoners to those in medical treatment.

8. Beauty & Skin Care Philosophy

[36:17 – 40:18]

• Devotion to Neutrogena, especially face wipes and Rapid Wrinkle Repair.
  • “You should never ever, ever go to bed with makeup.” (Jennifer, 36:55)
• Emphasizes sunscreen as the most vital skincare product: “Nothing better in your 50s than sunscreen in your 20s.” (Jennifer, 40:27)
• Prefers a simple routine and consistency; shies away from trendy treatments.

9. Philanthropy – Save the Children

[41:44 – 43:37]

• Jennifer discusses her deep commitment to Save the Children, especially in rural communities affected by generational poverty.
  • “...If you don’t have bootstraps, you can’t pull yourself up. We have to look at those zip codes and give those families a leg up.” (Jennifer, 42:16)
• Save the Children is highlighted as a top charity ahead of the holidays.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• 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)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Jennifer’s Early Life: 03:02–09:39
• Career Milestones (Alias, 13 Going on 30): 09:39–12:30
• Perspective on Positivity & Friendship: 16:31–18:55
• Motherhood & Resilience: 18:55–22:25
• Fitness Philosophy & Deadpool Training: 22:25–26:18
• Food, Family, and Kitchen Joy: 26:39–34:37
• Once Upon a Farm Story & Mission: 29:40–33:51
• Beauty Routines & Product Picks: 36:17–40:18
• Save the Children & Philanthropy: 41:44–43:37
• Rapid Fire & Life Advice: 43:37–49:55

Rapid Fire Fun (Selected)

• Favorite Cocktail: Paloma (thanks to Molly)
• Worst Beauty Advice: “I am my own worst beauty advice. I wore pancake makeup through college... just a white circle!” (Jennifer, 43:55)
• Favorite Quote/Mantra: “Happiness is your own responsibility”—from her mom
• Advice to 10-Year-Old Self: “Don’t be afraid to follow whatever geeky passions you have—even if it’s solving a Rubik’s Cube, learning another language, or Dungeons & Dragons.” (Jennifer, 48:44)

Jennifer’s Signature Takeaways

• Lean on authentic friendships—safe spaces matter.
• Practice grace for yourself and others; no one is positive 100% of the time.
• Consistency trumps trends in skincare; never skip sunscreen.
• Movement isn’t just physical; it’s medicine for mind and spirit.
• Embrace curiosity and “geeky passions”—they’re always worthwhile.

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.