Refined & Unhinged

Ali and her mom, Jen, dig into one of those topics every woman hits at some point — what do you do when a friend keeps coming to you with the same problem, the same chaos, over and over again, and nothing ever changes? Is it okay to say something? Is it okay to walk away? They get into the real mechanics of how to handle it: the art of the redirect (yes, just change the subject), why timing matter...

We're talking fashion this week and honestly? It got a little heated. Ali and Jen sit down for a real talk about getting dressed, finding your personal style, and figuring out which trends are actually worth your time (and closet space). Whether you're someone who lives for a shopping trip or you've been wearing the same three outfits on rotation, this one's for you. SHARE & REVIEW: If this ep...

This episode dives into our take on the energetic and transformative spirit of the firehorse year, exploring themes of personal growth, community engagement, and navigating life's challenges with resilience. Join us for an honest  chat about health, purpose, societal shifts, and embracing our authentic selves in 2026. Jen’s favorite follows on Instagram: @tkcivics @leighmcgowan @women_inamerica @l...

Gigi Schwirblat, NP, joins the conversation to share her unexpected journey from city life to the trail and how nature reshaped the way she thinks about resilience, companionship, and herself. What began as a fun challenge turned into a life changing experience, as she committed to taking on the Colorado Trail and backpacking for 6 weeks.  Along the way, Gigi explores what it means to test your ph...

Sleep shouldn’t feel this hard — and yet, for so many of us, it does. In this episode, Ali Stricklin and Jen Dryden Hess dives into the very real, very relatable struggle of getting quality rest. From years of poor sleep habits to experimenting with every wellness trend imaginable, Je & Alii share what they’ve learned about sleep hygiene, lifestyle choices, and the small changes that actually...

In this episode, Ali & Jen chat about their reactions, takeaways, and feelings after diving into the Let Them theory by Mel Robbins and, naturally, spiral into some hilarious (and humbling) childhood stories where Ali very confidently tested her mom’s patience. What starts as a conversation about emotional control, expectations, and letting people be who they are quickly turns into a reflectio...

We’re closing out 2025 the only way we know how, honest, reflective, and a little unhinged. In this episode, Ali & Jen recap the year using Thorn, Rose & Bud and map what’s next with the Keep, Toss, Create framework. What challenged us, what we loved, and what we’re intentionally bringing into 2026 (and what we’re not). This is a playful but meaningful conversation about growth, boundaries...

In this week’s episode of Refined & Unhinged, we sit down with psychotherapist Deborah Tsagris for a raw, honest conversation about female pleasure, intimacy, and what actually happens behind closed doors…especially once you throw kids, careers, and real-life chaos into the mix. We get into everything: how our anatomy shapes our sexual experiences, why self-exploration matters more than most w...

In this conversation, Ali Stricklin and Jen Dryden Hess discuss their journey towards clean beauty and personal care products, reflecting on the past experiences with makeup and the impact of health concerns on products and options today. They emphasize the importance of being aware of the ingredients in beauty products, the rise of clean beauty brands, and the challenges of navigating the market...

In this engaging conversation, Ali Stricklin & Jen Dryden Hess interview Sonja Magdevski on her experiences in the wine industry, emphasizing the importance of community, storytelling, and the joy of wine tasting. She discusses navigating the challenges of today's wine market and how generational shifts are reshaping alcohol consumption patterns.  Sonja opens up about her personal journey as a...

In this episode of Refined & Unhinged, Ali Stricklin & Jen Dryden Hess  dive deep into the transformative practice of journaling and how putting pen to paper can unlock clarity, growth, and self-discovery. Whether you're documenting your deepest thoughts or planning your dream future, journaling offers a powerful tool for personal development. They explore the beauty of stream of conscious...

In this week’s conversation, Ali Stricklin and Jen Dryden Hess explore the complexities of self-perception, the impact of self-talk, and the importance of cultivating a positive mindset. They discuss personal experiences and their own natural tendencies for optimism and pessimism respectively.  They offer practical tips and some funny anecdotes for navigating a better and more positive self view a...

In this episode, Shelby Diskin, founder of Lead Well and AFTRGLO Integration, shares her powerful journey of self-discovery, from building confidence and navigating major life transitions to embracing the importance of self-love and allowing others to love you. We explore how values and relationships shape both personal and professional growth, and why cultivating a culture of care in organization...

Join part 2 of our convo with Tatiana Schwirblat. She is the youngest of our family and we finish an intimate and wide-ranging conversation about navigating life's most challenging transitions. Tati take us through her personal journey of career pivots - from questioning her professional path to making bold moves and moving for love. You'll hear candid insights about the importance of standing up...

We had such a fun conversation with Tatiana Schwirblat, a 28-year-old who's basically living her twenties to the fullest. She's the kind of person who says yes to new adventures, whether that's packing up and moving somewhere completely new, diving into a different job and career path, or just being open to meeting all kinds of people along the way. Her energy is infectious. As she shares her stor...

When Ali Stricklin and Jen Dryden Hess dive into the messy world of stress, things get real and funny. From Jen's debilitating stress induced migraines and her state of denial, to Ali's overwhelming anxiety at concerts (seriously, why does she keep buying tickets?), this episode is packed with good stories and genuine laughs. They swap tales about social anxiety, surviving awkward group settings,...

Ali and Jen are getting real about beauty, aging, and all the closed-door honest convos in between. We're talking about everything from Botox to facelifts, and the belief that you should do whatever makes you feel like you—whether that's going full natural or getting a little help from science. There's no "right" way to do aging, only the way you want to do it. Period. Jen surprises Ali with some...

Ali Stricklin and Jen Dryden Hess are getting real about money on this episode of Refined & Unhinged – because apparently some of us have a plan (ahem…Jen) and some of us are out here pretending we have our financial lives together when we are just winging it with faith and a credit card (ahem…Ali). They dive into the messy world of money management, tackling everything from crippling financia...

In this conversation, Kelly Colon shares her personal journey of navigating neurodivergency as both an individual and a parent to neurodivergent children. She discusses her family's genetic neurodivergence patterns, the challenges of growing up in a large Boston family, and how family mental health challenges shaped her upbringing. Kelly's story illuminates the complexities of late diagnosis and i...

In this special episode, Ali & Jen chat with Amelia Saberwal of Kinesthetica Coaching who just happens to be Ali’s personal Executive Coach. The ladies dive into the communication tools that truly deepen connection—think asking great questions, reading body language, and actually learning to listen (like really listen).  Amelia, a classically trained actor, now works as communication expert an...

This week, Jen and Ali are back from NYC and ready to chat about the fine art of delivering exceptional hospitality...and air their grievances about snotty hostesses. But actually wtf is going on there? From Carbone and Aimé Leon Dore to Soho House and Disneyland, they swap stories from spots that actually get it right, rant about service standards plummeting, and debate whether "anticipating gues...

Ali Stricklin and Jen Dryden-Hess discover the shocking definition of humility and dive into a career discussion. They discuss insights from Michelle Obama's book 'The Light We Carry', emphasizing the importance of not dimming one's light and the need for self-championing. They explore the need for self-promotion, taking up space, and the challenges of navigating the job market.  The conversation...

In this episode, Ali & Jen have their first official at-home sofa chat. They laugh about how differently they are wired and share some funny stories like the time when they ended up on another kind of sofa with a therapist to mediate. From dealing with Sensory Processing Disorder, to sneaking home to read before Work From Home was a thing to read, you’ll learn a lot about what makes them tick....

Wellness coach for high achieving women, Allison Tibbs of Nourished Life , shares her powerful journey through three life-changing moments that transformed her approach to self-care and success. From building a thriving business as a top Tonal coach, saying yes to every opportunity and seemingly living her dream life, to watching it all slip away, Allison learned that slowing down isn't optional—i...

Let's get candid! Ali and Jen dive deep into the unique struggles women face when building authentic friendships in adulthood. They explore the vulnerability required for genuine connection, share their friendship pet peeves, and share personal stories from all stages of life.  This discussion offers practical insights for women seeking deeper community connections, emphasizing the importance of e...