Your Friends Are Not Your Therapists

Your Friends Are Not Your Therapists

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 matters more than you think when it comes to hard conversations, and why bringing something up when someone is mid-spiral almost never works. Ali draws a surprisingly parallel between managing deeply feeling kids and managing deeply feeling adults — turns out, the Dr. Becky approach applies way beyond toddlers. They also talk about the stuff nobody warns you about: the cost of being everyone's sounding board, why you should never vent about your partner to your friends, the damage that gossip does even when someone "promises" not to repeat it, and why a good therapist will always beat a group text for working through your shit. What we cover: * How to redirect a friend who's stuck in a loop — without blowing up the friendship * Why hard conversations land better when the other person isn't already spinning * The case for asking "do you have capacity for this right now?" before unloading * Friend breakups: when it's okay to walk away and why it still hurts * Why your friends and family aren't your therapists (and shouldn't be) * The unspoken rule about not talking shit about your partner — or your friends — to other people SHARE & REVIEW: If this episode resonated, please share with a friend or write a review. We would love to hear from you. Screenshot your share or review and DM us [https://www.instagram.com/refinedandunhinged] for a chance to win our monthly swag giveaway! FOLLOW: Refined & Unhinged: @refinedandunhinged [https://www.instagram.com/refinedandunhinged]Refine Social Club: @refinesocial.club [https://www.instagram.com/refinesocial.club]Ali: @alistricklin [https://www.instagram.com/alistricklin]Jen Dryden Hess: @jendrydenhess [https://www.instagram.com/jendrydenhess]The podcast by Refine Social Club [http://refinesocial.club/] Join our thriving community of open-minded, open-hearted women who are embracing the mess, the magic, and everything in between. Continue these important discussions, find your people, and attend exclusive in-person events—where podcast listeners become real-life connections. Join our list [http://www.refinesocial.club] to stay in the know.

Dressed to Express

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 episode resonated, please share with a friend or write a review. We would love to hear from you. Screenshot your share or review and DM us [https://www.instagram.com/refinedandunhinged] for a chance to win our monthly swag giveaway! FOLLOW: Refined & Unhinged: @refinedandunhinged [https://www.instagram.com/refinedandunhinged]Refine Social Club: @refinesocial.club [https://www.instagram.com/refinesocial.club]Ali: @alistricklin [https://www.instagram.com/alistricklin]Jen Dryden Hess: @jendrydenhess [https://www.instagram.com/jendrydenhess]The podcast by Refine Social Club [http://refinesocial.club/] Join our thriving community of open-minded, open-hearted women who are embracing the mess, the magic, and everything in between. Continue these important discussions, find your people, and attend exclusive in-person events—where podcast listeners become real-life connections. Join our list [http://www.refinesocial.club] to stay in the know.

2026 The Firehorse Year — Here's How to Ride It

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 @loudblonde @montemader @TheSheCenter @rage_for_good @amymaccc SHARE & REVIEW: If this episode resonated, please share with a friend or write a review. We would love to hear from you. Screenshot your share or review and DM us [https://www.instagram.com/refinedandunhinged] for a chance to win our monthly swag giveaway! FOLLOW: Refined & Unhinged: @refinedandunhinged [https://www.instagram.com/refinedandunhinged]Refine Social Club: @refinesocial.club [https://www.instagram.com/refinesocial.club]Ali: @alistricklin [https://www.instagram.com/alistricklin]Jen Dryden Hess: @jendrydenhess [https://www.instagram.com/jendrydenhess]The podcast by Refine Social Club [http://refinesocial.club/] Join our thriving community of open-minded, open-hearted women who are embracing the mess, the magic, and everything in between. Continue these important discussions, find your people, and attend exclusive in-person events—where podcast listeners become real-life connections. Join our list [http://www.refinesocial.club] to stay in the know.

Where the Trail Changes You

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 physical and mental limits, why community matters even in solitude, and how the outdoors can quietly change the trajectory of your life. SHARE & REVIEW: If this episode resonated, please share with a friend or write a review. We would love to hear from you. Screenshot your share or review and DM us [https://www.instagram.com/refinedandunhinged] for a chance to win our monthly swag giveaway! FOLLOW: Refined & Unhinged: @refinedandunhinged [https://www.instagram.com/refinedandunhinged]Refine Social Club: @refinesocial.club [https://www.instagram.com/refinesocial.club]Ali: @alistricklin [https://www.instagram.com/alistricklin]Jen Dryden Hess: @jendrydenhess [https://www.instagram.com/jendrydenhess]The podcast by Refine Social Club [http://refinesocial.club/] Join our thriving community of open-minded, open-hearted women who are embracing the mess, the magic, and everything in between. Continue these important discussions, find your people, and attend exclusive in-person events—where podcast listeners become real-life connections. Join our list [http://www.refinesocial.club] to stay in the know.

We Don’t Play About Our Sleep

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 make a difference. The conversation explores how everyday factors like alcohol, caffeine, stress, screen time, and inconsistent routines quietly sabotage our sleep quality — even when we think we’re “doing everything right.” Jen also opens up about how technology and sleep-tracking devices can be both helpful and misleading, and why awareness matters more than perfection. SHARE & REVIEW: If this episode resonated, please share with a friend or write a review. We would love to hear from you. Screenshot your share or review and DM us [https://www.instagram.com/refinedandunhinged] for a chance to win our monthly swag giveaway! FOLLOW: Refined & Unhinged: @refinedandunhinged [https://www.instagram.com/refinedandunhinged]Refine Social Club: @refinesocial.club [https://www.instagram.com/refinesocial.club]Host: Ali Stricklin: @alistricklin [https://www.instagram.com/alistricklin]Host: Jen Dryden Hess: @jendrydenhess [https://www.instagram.com/jendrydenhess]The podcast by Refine Social Club [http://refinesocial.club/] Join our thriving community of open-minded, open-hearted women who are embracing the mess, the magic, and everything in between. Continue these important discussions, find your people, and attend exclusive in-person events—where podcast listeners become real-life connections. Join our list [http://www.refinesocial.club] to stay in the know.