Ep. 12: How clothes spark connection: friendship, vulnerability, and personal style with Danielle Bayard Jackson
Release Date: 07/02/2025
Closet Philosophy
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In this episode, Kristen and Jennine talk with photographer Lydia Hudgens, whose new book Plus: Expanding the Frame features 100% plus-size models and is the first of its kind. Lydia shares her journey from street-style photographer to celebrating body diversity through her lens, the state of plus-size representation in fashion today, and how posing can empower confidence for every body type. They also explore how the rise of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, post-pandemic beauty standards, and internalized fatphobia are reshaping conversations about body image and inclusivity. Lydia discusses her...
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Ep. 24: Exploring beauty, aging, and authenticity In this episode of Closet Philosophy, Jennine and Kristen dive deep into the complicated relationship between beauty standards, aging, and authenticity. The conversation weaves together personal stories, cultural analysis, and feminist perspectives to unpack the pressures women face to look younger, thinner, or more polished—and the freedom that can come from rejecting those expectations. From hair extensions and Botox to the social media anti-aging industrial complex, the hosts examine how personal choices intersect with social norms,...
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In this episode of Closet Philosophy, hosts Jennine and Kristen sit down with Denise Pines, an influential filmmaker and leader in the effort to normalize conversations about perimenopause and menopause. She’s a Peabody-winning filmmaker, health advocate, founder of Tea Botanics and WisePause Wellness, and president of the Osteopathic Medical Board of California. Together, they unravel the cultural silence around menopause and perimenopause, discuss Denise’s influential documentaries (The M Factor and upcoming Before the Pause, and explore how personal style, society, and women's...
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Jennine and Kristen dive deep into the complex experience of visibility for women as they age, sharing candid stories and discussing cultural, psychological, and societal shifts that impact self-expression and confidence beyond 40. This episode explores the challenges women face in retaining visibility, feeling confident, and expressing authentic style, offering hope and actionable insights for listeners. Key Topics: The first personal experiences of feeling invisible: Jennine and Kristen recount moments in retail and influencer settings where age influenced how they were treated. The myth...
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In this episode of the Closet Philosophy podcast, hosts Jennine and Kristen sit down with Cat Pierce—writer, artist, entrepreneur, and musician, best known as half of the band . Cat shares her inspiring journey of continual reinvention, highlighting how creativity flourishes at every stage of life, especially beyond the age of 40. The conversation delves into themes of overcoming societal expectations, building inner and outer confidence, and finding empowerment through personal style, beauty rituals, and creative experimentation. Cat discusses launching her beauty and lifestyle brand, Omen,...
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This week on Closet Philosophy, Jennine and Kristen sit down with fashion creator Angel Edme. Her bold style and fearless approach to self-expression embody what it means to use style as self-expression. Angel Edme is a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle creator based in New York—known for her razor-sharp style, unfiltered honesty, and a deep passion for helping people show up as their boldest, truest selves. She started behind the camera as a storyteller, and now she’s in front of it—empowering real people to reclaim their confidence through fashion, skincare, and creative self-expression....
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in this inspiring conversation, we talk with Alicia Johnson—global marketing strategist, Ford model, and author of . Alicia shares how she re-entered the modeling world in her 60s through a twist of serendipity, the challenges and biases that still exist for older plus-size women in fashion, and how personal style can be a radical act of self-acceptance. We explore the deeper meaning of authenticity, why self-trust is the foundation of showing up fully, and how movement—not dieting—can be a key to reclaiming joy. Alicia also offers practical tools for reconnecting with your body,...
info_outlineIn this episode, personal stylist Jennine Jacob and fashion journalist Kristen Philipkoski talk with Danielle Bayard Jackson, friendship coach and author of Fighting for Our Friendships. They explore how what we wear can open the door to meaningful connections—and how friendships shape (and are shaped by) our personal style.
Danielle breaks down her three affinities framework—symmetry, support, and secrecy—revealing why women’s friendships are so powerful yet often fragile. She shares how style plays into first impressions and why dressing to express yourself authentically is a form of vulnerability that can actually fast-track finding your people.
They discuss:
- Why women’s friendships dissolve at a higher rate than men’s
- How wearing something “conversation-worthy” invites connection
- Why friendships sometimes fade after big life shifts
- Scripts for repairing friendship missteps
- The power of showing up as yourself, even if it risks rejection
Guest:
👭 Danielle Bayard Jackson – friendship educator, speaker, and author of Fighting for Our Friendships. Find her work at Better Female Friendships.
Listen if you want to:
✨ Feel more confident approaching new people ✨ Understand why friendships sometimes drift ✨ Explore how your style choices impact your social life ✨ Learn practical scripts to navigate common friendship pitfalls