What does it really take to leave a prestigious, intellectually demanding career and step fully into a creative life?

Two women who did exactly that join us for this episode of Closet Philosophy. Erin Hupp and Subikksha Balaje come from wildly different professional backgrounds (law and data science, respectively), yet both found their way back to creativity through clay, metal, and a pull toward working with their hands.

Erin Hupp is a former child welfare and land use lawyer who now runs Erin Hupp Ceramics in the San Francisco Bay Area, creating sculptural dinnerware, lighting, and objects for restaurants and private clients. Subikksha Balaje grew up in Chennai, India, built a successful career in Big Tech, and later launched Gold Stories, a fine jewelry brand rooted in storytelling, cultural memory, and wearable art.

Recently, Erin and Subikksha collaborated on a stunning fine jewelry collection that transforms Erin's signature folded ceramic forms into silver and gold—future heirlooms that honor both precision and imperfection.

Together, we talk about:

• Why midlife can be a powerful creative awakening—not a crisis

• The vulnerability of shedding a "serious" professional identity

• Imposter syndrome (before and after success)

• How collaboration sparks ideas AI never could

• The tension between perfection and imperfection in handmade work

• Why stories matter more than ever in a tech-saturated world

• And how personal style, craft, and creativity are deeply human acts of resistance

This conversation is a love letter to creative courage, curiosity, and the belief that it's never too late to claim who you really are.

Whether you're considering a pivot, craving more creativity, or simply want to hear how two artists think about meaning, work, and making—this episode is for you.

In this episode of Closet Philosophy, Kristen and Jennine dig into a counterintuitive idea: less really can be more — especially when it comes to personal style.

Jennine shares how her attempt to curb overconsumption led her to experiment with a 40-piece wardrobe ecosystem, not as a deprivation tactic, but as a creative framework. What started as a practical solution quickly became a powerful way to clarify her style, reduce spending, and build confidence.

Together, Kristen and Jennine explore how creative limitations fuel innovation across disciplines—from art and graphic design to filmmaking and fashion. They discuss why having guardrails doesn't stifle self-expression, but actually sharpens it, using examples from Bottega Veneta's woven leather legacy to iconic brands like Ace & Jig and even the cult-classic Clueless wardrobe.

The conversation also turns personal, touching on the emotional weight of holding onto clothes (and stuff), the fear of making decisions, and how trusting your taste is a skill—one that gets easier with age and experience. Whether you're navigating a no-buy season, overwhelmed by trends, or trying to define a signature look that actually fits your life, this episode reframes style as something deeper than shopping.

Because great style isn't about having more, it's about knowing yourself.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why limitations can unlock creativity, not kill it

• How a 40-piece wardrobe helps clarify personal style

• Overconsumption, thrifting, and the myth of "more is better"

• The emotional side of letting go of clothes

• Trusting your taste—and why confidence is the secret ingredient

• What fashion, film, interiors, and branding all have in common

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Questions or love notes? Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of Closet Philosophy, Jennine and Kristen explore one of the most misunderstood ideas in personal style: that having more clothes actually makes getting dressed harder, not easier.

What begins as a conversation about Kristen's long-standing 70s, bohemian California aesthetic opens into a much deeper discussion about identity, decision fatigue, creativity, and why true personal style comes from editing rather than accumulation.

Jennine shares how style is not about finding the perfect piece or chasing trends, but about making intentional decisions. Drawing parallels between writing, design, and wardrobe building, she explains why constraints are essential for creativity and how an overflowing closet can block clarity rather than inspire it.

Together, they unpack the psychological weight of "maybe someday" clothes, the myth of endless options, and how a tightly edited wardrobe ecosystem can free up mental space, time, and confidence. The conversation also touches on belonging versus fitting in, the role of comfort in looking "cool," and why style should ultimately work for your life, not demand constant attention.

This episode is for anyone who feels overwhelmed by their closet, stuck in style limbo, or exhausted by the pressure to keep up. It's an invitation to stop looking outward for answers and start trusting yourself.

Topics covered:

• Why style is a decision-making process, not an aesthetic label

• The connection between editing, creativity, and confidence

• How too many clothing options create decision fatigue

• The concept of a "wardrobe ecosystem" and seasonal rotation

• Letting go of clothes that don't reflect who you are now

• How constraints help you develop personal style signatures

• Shifting from "How do I look?" to "How do I feel like me?"

If getting dressed feels harder than it should, this episode will change how you think about your closet—and yourself.

We're kicking off season 2 of Closet Philosophy with a conversation about overconsumption, emotional shopping, and the cultural forces that keep us chasing "more."

Jennine shares a personal reckoning: years of daily thrifting, racks sagging with clothes, garbage bags stuffed into closets — all while telling her audience they didn't need to shop. What started as reselling and "style experimentation" slowly revealed itself as something else: a way to soothe anxiety, regulate emotions, and chase an external version of identity.

Together, Kristen and Jennine unpack why this isn't a personal failure — and why so many of us feel stuck in the same cycle.

We explore:

• Why thrift culture isn't always sustainable

• The massive labor and environmental cost of donated clothing

• How only a fraction of clothing ever gets worn again

• Why dopamine feels like "style" — but isn't

• How propaganda and psychology trained us to shop for identity

• The role of algorithms, influencers, and targeted desire

Jennine introduces her 40-piece wardrobe ecosystem, a turning point that helped her stop chasing trends and start wearing what she already owned. The restriction inherent in a 40-piece wardrobe led to clarity.

The conversation widens into belonging, people-pleasing, and the liberation that comes from choosing yourself — in your closet, your work, and your life. Kristen shares parallel experiences from teaching Pilates and learning to release the impossible task of being liked by everyone.

This episode isn't about minimalism or moralizing consumption. It's about understanding the systems we're operating inside — and creating enough awareness to pause, choose differently, and reconnect with who we actually are.

Season 2 will continue exploring creativity, personal style, and how to step off the hamster wheel of trends — without giving up joy, expression, or beauty.

We'd love to hear from you: How has shopping shown up in your life? What have you learned on the other side of overconsumption?

In this episode of Closet Philosophy, Kristen and Jennine dive deep into the art and satisfaction of caring for your wardrobe. From repairing damaged handbags to reviving old leather jackets and removing stubborn stains, Jennine shares practical, proven methods to extend the life of your favorite garments.

What we cover in this episode:

• How Jeannine learned to restore thrifted clothing and leather goods through reselling

• Easy DIY fixes for suede shoes, handbags, and faded leather jackets

• Using household products—like dish soap and vinegar—for cleaning and stain removal

• Tricks to rescue shrunken or misshapen clothes

• Preventing mildew, odor, and dust mites in stored clothing

• Thoughtful ways to repurpose furs and keep your accessories organized

Caring for your clothes doesn't require fancy tools or professional skills—just curiosity, patience, and a few smart products. With these methods, your closet can become more sustainable, organized, and personal.

In this episode, Jennine and Kristen speak with writer, speaker, and educator Chrissy King, author of The Body Liberation Project. Chrissy dives deep into how fashion, fitness, and wellness intersect with social justice, race, and body image. The conversation moves beyond "body positivity," exploring body liberation as systemic social change—not just self-love. Listeners will learn why true inclusion requires rethinking everything from clothing access to medical practices, and how concepts of beauty and thinness are tied to politics and control.

Chrissy merges expertise in social justice, sociology, and fitness coaching. With work published in Shape, Health South, and POPSUGAR, Chrissy empowers all bodies to take up space and redefines wellness as collective liberation.

We discuss:

• The limits of body positivity vs. body liberation

• Systemic oppression and body-based bias

• Fatphobia and its cultural/political roots

• Health misconceptions and lived experience

• Serena Williams, Lizzo, and representation

• Age, menopause, and changing bodies

• Inclusion in fashion and fitness industries

• Social justice and intersectionality

• Coping strategies in today's culture wars

• Books and accounts for further reading

Quotes:

• "Body liberation is less about loving everything you see in the mirror, and more about understanding the vessel you live in is always worthy of respect."

• "Thinness and beauty standards are less about health, and more about control."

• "Representation helps people of every size, age, and identity give themselves permission to be seen."

Takeaways and resources:

• Follow Chrissy King's work for deeper dives into intersectionality and body acceptance.

• Recommended reads: The Body Liberation Project by Chrissy King, The Beauty Mythby Naomi Wolf, Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings.

• Explore body-positive and size-inclusive influencers, and seek supportive communities both online and offline for healing.

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 modeling classes, why she believes representation matters across generations, and how her work helps people see the beauty in themselves that they might have forgotten was there.

We discuss:

• The inspiration behind Plus: Expanding the Frame

• How fashion's body inclusivity has backslid in recent years

• The impact of GLP-1 drugs on representation and body image

• "Aspirational plus size," and why it's problematic

• How age, tattoos, and size intersect in modeling

• Why posing can help you feel more confident and connected to your body

• The message Lydia hopes her book will leave with readers

Guest: Lydia Hudgens — photographer, model, and advocate for body diversity. Her work has appeared in Vogue, Teen Vogue, Glamour, and more, and her clients include Anthropologie, Reformation, and Rent the Runway. Her book Plus: Expanding the Frame is available now.

Follow Lydia: Instagram: @lydiahudgens (photography) @lydiaoffduty (modeling)

Lydia's website

Buy Lydia's book: Plus: Expanding the Frame

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, capitalism, and patriarchy. They reflect on when beauty practices can feel empowering and when they cross into performative territory.

The discussion expands into history and culture, touching on icons like Marilyn Monroe, Twiggy, Madonna, and Serena Williams, as well as how older women are represented—or erased—in media and literature. Ultimately, Jennine and Kristen underscore the power of visibility and authenticity: showing up as yourself not only challenges beauty standards but also gives others permission to do the same.

If you've ever questioned where the line lies between self-expression and societal pressure, this episode will resonate.

Notes:

This is the YouTube video about Lolita that Jennine mentions.

In this episode of Closet Philosophy, hosts Jennine and Kristen sit down with career consultant Dilara Casey to explore what it takes to reinvent your career and style in midlife. Even if you've taken a decade out from your career, Dilara has tops for everything from making confident pivots to navigating ageism. She shares practical strategies for reframing your story, updating your resume, and embracing change with authenticity.

She also opens up about reclaiming personal style during challenging times and why staying true to your look can be a source of power. The conversation touches on AI's impact on the workplace, the importance of human creativity, and how Equipped Women is helping close the gender gap.

What you'll learn:

• First steps for successful career pivots

• How to position volunteer work and nontraditional experience as strengths

• Concrete strategies to combat ageism and claim your value

• Why authentic personal style fuels confidence and reinvention

Follow Dilara:

TikTok

LinkedIn

Check out her novel, Wherever You Go

Subscribe for weekly new episodes packed with style, strategy, and real-life encouragement for authentic self-expression!

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 health intersect.

• Denise's personal and professional journey in women's health, filmmaking, and advocacy

• The impact of The M Factor and the new focus on perimenopause in Before the Pause

• Why perimenopause and menopause remain so misunderstood—and what has to change in medicine and culture

• The legislative fight to improve menopause training for doctors in California (AB 360 and beyond)

• Common but rarely discussed menopause symptoms, and why early education matters

• How Denise balances her multifaceted career and the wellness routines that keep her energized

• When Denise met Prince (!)

• How aging changes personal expression, style, and purpose

Connect with Denise:

LinkedIn

The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause

If this episode resonated, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share Closet Philosophy with your friends!