Talk with Kristen (with an e)
Join Kristen as she explores everything from burnout and the challenges of making friends, to lessons learned along the way—all served with a side of humor and a dash of nostalgia. Sometimes she’s flying solo, other times she’s joined by special guests, but it’s always a conversation worth having. Tune in—it’s like therapy, but without the bill.
Episodes
36 episodes
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Seasons of Change: Friendship, Gratitude, and Growing Where You Are
In this warm and reflective episode, Kristen reunites with returning guest Caity for a conversation that feels like your favorite fall sweater — comforting, familiar, and full of meaning. Together they explore seasons in every sense: the shift ...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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38:08
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Touch Grass: Escaping the Scroll and Reconnecting with Reality
In this thoughtful and funny conversation, Kristen welcomes back Caity for a real-talk episode about boredom, overstimulation, and what it actually means to “touch grass.” Together they explore how our phones have quietly become both comfort an...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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38:45
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Breaking Up with Social Media: Nostalgia, Boundaries, and Reclaiming Connection with Caity
In this candid conversation, Kristen and guest Caity reflect on their social media journeys -- from the nostalgic days of MySpace and Xanga to the algorithm-driven feeds of today. They explore the shift from authentic connection to curate...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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39:58
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Scooping Up Life Lessons: From Ice Cream Cones to Leadership
In this episode, Kristen shares how her first job at an ice cream shop became the foundation for the way she leads today. Earning just $5.25 an hour, she learned lessons far more valuable than her paycheck about accountability, empowering other...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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36:56
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From Pause to Play: Relaxed, Recharged, and Returning
In the season two premiere, Kristen warmly welcomes listeners back after an extended summer break, sharing a personal update and reflections from her “pause and playback” time. She recounts a summer filled with relaxation, growth, and memorable...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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25:58
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Let This Be the Summer: The Pause Before What’s Next
In the final episode of Season One, Kristen reflects on the journey so far and invites listeners into a summer of rest, joy, and gentle reset. With her signature warmth and honesty, she shares what “pause and playback” means to her through book...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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24:10
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From Daydream to Download: Season One Reflections
In this cozy, solo second-to-last episode of Season One, Kristen reflects on the journey so far using the classic journalist’s lens: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. From humble beginnings and a spark of curiosity to building confidence, c...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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23:19
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Let’s Catch Up: 10 Things I’m Loving Right Now
In this cozy and candid episode, one of the final three of Season 1, Kristen shares her current top ten obsessions just like you’d swap recommendations with a close friend over coffee or on a sunny afternoon by the pool. From TV shows and beaut...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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31:32
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Sparkle, Belonging, and Radical Self-Acceptance: Final Book Club Wrap-Up
In this heartfelt conclusion to the virtual book club series, Kristen is joined by Kelly and Alexis for one final conversation around Perfect Is Boring (and Tastes Like Kale) by Jess Johnston. Together, they unpack the book’s poignant ...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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49:05
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Breaking the Mold: Redefining Financial Power for Women
In this empowering episode, Kristen welcomes Tiffany for a powerful conversation about financial health, abundance, and breaking free from the old narratives around women and money. Tiffany shares how society has conditioned women to play it sa...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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53:22
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Out Loud and Off the Bench: The Lies That Keep Us Playing Small
In this installment of the Perfect Is Boring (And Tastes Like Kale) virtual book club, Kristen is again joined by Kelly and Alexis to unpack the last few lies from Jess Johnston’s book. From feeling like a junior varsity adult to the f...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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50:42
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Glitter, Grit, and Growing into Yourself
In this vibrant and empowering conversation, Kristen welcomes her friend Emily to talk about what it means to take up space: sparkly shoes, glittery eyeshadow, bold choices, and all. They explore how society often teaches girls and women to shr...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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52:27
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Quit Performing, Start Belonging: Lies That Keep Us from Real Connection
In this second installment of the Talk with Kristen (with an e) virtual book club, Kristen welcomes back guests Kelly and Alexis to continue their heartfelt dive into Perfect Is Boring (And Tastes Like Kale) by Jess Johnston. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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48:18
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Busy Isn’t Better: Reclaiming Peace and Presence
In this episode, Kristen welcomes her friend and sister-in-law, Kelly, for an honest conversation about the power of slowing down. After reaching a point of burnout at the end of 2024, Kelly shares how she began to mentally and emotionally rese...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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59:52
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The Lies We Tell Ourselves: From Perfection to Pretending
In week two of the virtual book club, Kristen is joined again by Kelly and Alexis to dive into the first five lies from Perfect is Boring (And Tastes Like Kale). Their conversation blends laughter, deep reflection, and candid truth-tel...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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46:33
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Bootcamp, Babies, and Bonded for Life: Amber & Paige’s Friendship Story
In this episode, Kristen reconnects with Amber and Paige—two best friends who’ve been through just about everything together. Their friendship kicked off in an airport on the way to bootcamp back in 2011, and what followed was a deep, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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37:29
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We’re All a Hot Mess (And It’s Fine): Book Club Begins!
Welcome to the very first episode of our Virtual Book Club! Kristen, Kelly, and Alexis sit down to dive into Perfect Is Boring and Tastes Like Kale by Jess Johnston — a heartfelt and hilarious look at embracing our imperfections and fi...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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44:10
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Found in Friendship: When Age Doesn’t Matter and Realness Does
Sometimes, the best friendships are the ones you never saw coming. In this episode, Kristen chats with her friend Emily about how a casual connection through a dance class turned into a meaningful friendship—despite a 16-year age gap. From runn...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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41:58
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Miles Apart, Close at Heart: Navigating Long-Distance Friendship
Maintaining friendships across time zones and life changes can be challenging, but some connections withstand the distance. In this episode, Kristen sits down with Kelly to explore the realities of long-distance friendships—how they begin, evol...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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42:49
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Friendship in Adulthood: The Struggles, Growth, and Lessons Learned
Making friends as an adult isn’t always easy—it can feel a lot like dating, filled with awkward introductions, unspoken expectations, and the occasional heartbreak. In this episode, Kristen sits down with Dana to talk about the complexities of ...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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1:02:34
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Making Friends as Grown-Ups: Expectations, Insecurities, and Intentionality
In this heartwarming and relatable episode, Kristen is joined by her friend and sister-in-law,Kelly, to dig into the nuanced world of adult friendships. Together, they unpack everything from the unrealistic expectations we sometimes carry—like ...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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44:09
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Bonus Episode: Kicking Off the Friendship Series
In this special bonus episode, Kristen introduces the podcast’s upcoming Friendship Series, exploring why making and maintaining friendships as an adult often feels more challenging than in childhood or college. She reflects on the evolving nat...
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Season 1
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20:26
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Friendship, Redefined: Why Less Can Be More
In this heartfelt episode, Kristen and Alexis explore the challenges and joys of adult friendships. Reflecting on their own experiences, they discuss the pressures of maintaining large social circles and what it truly means to find and nurture ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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25:36
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From Beauty Blogs to Real Life: A Nostalgic Look Back with Arielle
This episode takes a nostalgic dive into the golden age of beauty blogging with special guest Arielle. Together, she and Kristen reflect on their experiences in the beauty blogging world of the early 2010s, a time when written blogs and YouTube...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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52:18
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Unpacking Purity Culture: Fear, Shame, and Moving Forward
Kristen and Alexis dive into their experiences growing up in the height of purity culture—also known as the True Love Waits movement. From youth group pledges to fear-based messaging that framed sex as the ultimate sin, they explore how these t...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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59:15