Closet Philosophy

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 44: Sneakergate: Why is the vast majority of the population wearing sneakers? Oct 04, 2026

Show notes

Jennine took an unofficial survey on the streets of San Francisco on a Saturday evening out and found that more than 90% of people were wearing sneakers. In this episode, Kristen and Jennine discuss why this might be. We may not have found a definitive answer, but we know it goes beyond the simple fact that sneakers are comfy. And it might even have something to do with fascism creeping into American life.

Ep. 43: An OG plus-size influencer reflects on how her work has changed the fashion industry Sep 27, 2026

Show notes

Marie Denee started blogging even before it was cool, and before size inclusivity was a buzzword. After more than 15 years as a content-creator, she looks back at the influence her work has had on the fashion industry.

We've seen progress to be sure: once banished to dark corners, plus-size merchandise is now more easily found at more stores. But there's still a dearth of choices when it comes to color and styles. Denee discusses a path forward.

Marie Denee's website

Ep. 42: If you don't think you look thin enough in your outfit, it might be thanks to fascism Sep 20, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Jennine and Kristen discuss how thinness has been used as a method of social control throughout history. From tuberculosis chic to heroin chic to GLP-1 chic, how women's bodies are analyzed and judged changes as politics chance.

If you suddenly feel you're not thin, pretty, or feminine enough, this episode will help you determine where those thoughts are coming from. They're ideas that have been planted by outside forces—not objective truths.

Remember, everything is made up.

Ep. 41: When a feminist gets a facelift, how are the other feminists supposed to feel? Sep 13, 2026

Show notes

Rosie O'Donnell has been an outspoken feminist throughout her career. So, as feminists, should we be OK with her getting a facelift, or taking GLP-1 medication? In this episode, Kristen and Jennine discuss the fallout when we question the morality of other women's decisions about their own bodies. Whether it's Rosie, Ariana Grande or Demi Moore, is it useful to judge their personal choices, or is there a more productive approach to grappling with the challenges and pressures facing women today?

Rosie O'Donnell's Substack

Ep. 40: Everything is made up, so don't get hung up on size, beauty, or anything else Sep 06, 2026

Show notes

This episode kicks off the 4th season of Closet Philosophy, so we had lots to talk about. The overarching theme is that beauty ideals are mercurial. Jennine and Kristen have lived through the whiplash of body type and beauty "trends," and they dug back further into history for even more proof that everything is made up and your best strategy for sanity is to love and accept your physical form wherever it happens to be.

That's easier said than done, no doubt, but we hope that after listening, you'll feel closer to freedom from society's fickle standards.

Ep. 39: Author Christine Morrison on how style has guided her life decisions—from relationships to where she lives to her career and publishing her first book at 56 Mar 29, 2026

Show notes

We are so excited to welcome author Christine Morrison to the pod this week! Christine is a seasoned writer, editor, and brand builder who recenlty published her first book, a fashion essay collection entitled Clothes Minded: Fashionable Essays About Finding Yourself.

As you'll hear in the conversation, the title is apt. Fashion was Christine's guiding light when it came to which boyfriends to dump and which jobs to move accross the ountry for. And style is still leading the way—she explores on her substack Writing in Black and White what it means to value personal style into your 50s and beyond.

In this episode, we discuss an unfortunate encounter with a orange and black windowpane suit, more than one sub-optimal boyfriend, her time at Calvin Klein (just a few years after Caroline Bessette graced the brands hallways), and more tidbits that will make you want to pick up her book to get more juicy details.

We hope you enjoy this episode and if you do, we'd be so grateful if you wrote a review!

Ep. 38: What to wear over 50—don't Google it Mar 22, 2026

Show notes

This will not be a surprise to anyone who's been following along with the pod: We think fashion rules, especially when they correspond to age, are really dumb and you should ignore them. It's shocking to us that these rules persist, and saddens us that when a woman Google's "how to dress after 50," she is fed all sorts of nonsense.

For this episode, we dive into those Google results. We walk you through why the results are a travesty, and what to do instead.

The main takeaway? "F*ck you Lloyd." We hope you enjoy this episode, and if you do please leave us a review. We'd be so grateful!

Ep. 37: What happens when you wear the wrong thing? Mar 15, 2026

Show notes

The desire for acceptance and belonging is deeply human. And fashion is one way that we signal who we are and what group we belong to. So it's not weird to freak out a little bit if you find yourself at an event wearing something that feels way different from everyone else.

In this episode, Kristen describes a recent occasion when she had exactly that experience. Even at 57 and with a lifetime of getting dressed behind her, she still freaked out a little!

Jennine offers some perspective and tips on how to get dressed so that it's less likely to happen, and when it does, how to remain calm.

We discuss:

What Planet of the Apes can teach us about the need to feel accepted
How to get dressed based on how you want to feel
Internal versus external locus of control
How to avoid the vortex of changing 25 times before you leave the house
How trying to "dress for the occasion" can backfire

And lots more! We hope you enjoy this episode, and please leave us a review if you do!

Ep. 36: Your insecurity is probably your superpower Mar 08, 2026

Show notes

We all can be really hard on ourselves at times. And it's no wonder, with messages all around us about the things we should really fix on our faces and bodies. Its never-ending, espcially on social media. But what if we embraced our perceived flaws and recognized them as superpowers. Whether it's a large, distinctive nose or earned lines on your face, letting go of the insecurities we tend to feel around these characteristics can be magical.

It's much easier said than done, of course. On this week's episode, Jennine and Kristen talk about ways to approach embracing your insecurities and all of the things that make you uniquely you.

Please let us know if you have ideas for future episodes! And if you like the podcast, we'd be super grateful for a quick review. See you next week!

Ep. 35: Alicia Rose is giving menopause the punk rock treatment it needs Mar 01, 2026

Show notes

Our guest this week is Alicia Rose, who is bringing a revolution to the conversation about perimenopause and menopause with an upcoming documentary called Menopunks. The film will examine the travesty of the Women's Health Initiative through a decidedly GenX lens.

In 2002, the WHI was halted with reports of increased breast cancer risk linked to hormone therapy. We know now that the analysis of the data was deeply flawed. Still, the majority of the women who at the time were reaping the benefits of HRT abruptly stopped taking it. Hormone replacement held an undeserved stigma for the next 24 (and counting) years.

Jennine and Kristen talk to Alicia about how she discovered this (and more) as she researched her own symptoms and possible treatments. And how it pissed her off.

With a background in filmmaking, photography, and music, she began developing a documentary—Menopunks—to shatter the myths and defiantly shine a light on the truth. She's bringing together doctors and punk rockers for a unique look at the vilification of hormone therapy and how GenX women can reclaim our health as we age. Also check out the Menopunks podcast!

Please let us know what you think of this episode by following and reviewing us on Apple Podcasts!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected