Talk with Kristen (with an e)

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What if confidence isn't something you need before you try something new, but something you build by doing it?

In this solo episode of Talk with Kristen (with an e), Kristen explores how confidence grows through action, experience, and learning to trust yourself. She shares how a fear of doing things alone once kept her from something as simple as eating lunch in a college cafeteria, how dance helped her step outside her comfort zone, and how learning to play golf has challenged her perfectionism in ways she never expected.

Drawing on ideas from Michael Gervais's The First Rule of Mastery and Adam Grant's Hidden Potential, Kristen explores the fear of other people's opinions, the discomfort of being a beginner, and why making mistakes is part of growth. A particularly stubborn golf water hazard offers an unexpected lesson in what it means to believe in yourself, even when things don't go according to plan.

Confidence doesn't mean knowing you'll succeed every time. Sometimes it means being willing to try, learn, and try again.

This episode is an invitation to stop waiting until you feel ready and start building confidence one experience at a time.

Your homework: Find something you've always wanted to try, take the first step, and give yourself permission to be a beginner.

Because you don't have to be good at something to begin. You have to begin to get better.

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After a much longer break than planned, Kristen is officially back behind the microphone.

In this season premiere of Talk with Kristen (with an E), Kristen catches listeners up on everything that happened while she was away: dance, golf, family time, book club, friendships, a very memorable 43rd birthday, and winning a golf league championship despite still feeling like she had no idea what she was doing.

But this episode is about more than a summer recap. Looking back at the past few months, Kristen realizes how much she learned by putting herself out there, trying new things, building friendships, pushing through moments of self-doubt, and simply making time to live her life.

And all of that leads into the bigger theme for this new season: becoming.

Who are we becoming? Who do we want to be? How do we build confidence, nurture adult friendships, navigate aging and perimenopause, grow in our careers, build resilience, and give ourselves permission to start again?

Kristen doesn't have all the answers. She's still figuring it out herself. But that's exactly what this season is about: real talk, real growth, real life, and figuring out who we're becoming along the way.

Whether you've been listening from the beginning or you're brand new here, welcome back. Let's figure it out together.

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This week, Kristen is joined again by Alexis for a conversation that starts with BookTok and turns into something much bigger.

From Twilight and The Hunger Games to Fourth Wing, romance trends, and “fast fashion publishing,” they unpack how social media is changing the way books are marketed, consumed, hyped, and criticized. Are popular books actually good books? Has BookTok changed publishing for better or worse? And are readers still choosing books for themselves, or for the algorithm?

The conversation also dives into cancel culture, AI, authenticity online, critical thinking, and the growing pressure to perform on social media.

This episode is not about judging what people read. It is about asking bigger questions about influence, trends, and how online spaces shape what we consume and believe.

If you’ve ever been influenced to buy a book because everyone else loved it, this one’s for you.

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In this solo episode, Kristen reflects on the TV and movie characters who quietly helped shape the woman she became.

From Punky Brewster’s fearless individuality and fierce loyalty, to Mary Richards’ quiet confidence in a male-dominated workplace, to Elle Woods’ unapologetic femininity and determination, and Felicity’s willingness to follow her own path, each character left a lasting imprint on how Kristen sees herself today.

She shares personal stories about confidence, identity, career growth, and why she refused to change who she was just to be taken seriously, including the story behind becoming “the girl in the sparkly shoes.”

This episode is a nostalgic and heartfelt look at the role models we grow up with, the lessons we carry into adulthood, and the ways confidence is built over time.

Kristen invites listeners to reflect on their own story: Which character shaped you?

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In this episode, Kristen sits down with returning guest Emily to talk about burnout and the version that often goes unnoticed: hidden burnout.

They explore what it looks like to keep showing up, performing well, and checking all the boxes while feeling emotionally exhausted, disconnected, and flat on the inside. From Sunday scaries and overwhelming to do lists to the pressure of being the go to person at work and in life, this conversation breaks down how burnout can build quietly over time.

Kristen and Emily share personal experiences with high functioning burnout, including moments of withdrawal, reduced motivation, irritability, and that unsettling feeling of going through the motions. They also unpack how anxiety, people pleasing, and control can fuel burnout without us even realizing it.

Throughout the episode, they reflect on subtle signs like mental fog, lack of fulfillment, and emotional numbness, along with how burnout can show up in relationships, work, and self perception.

They also talk through practical ways to manage it, including setting boundaries, letting go of control, delegating tasks, and creating space to rest without guilt. Plus, the soda analogy you didn’t know you needed to finally understand what burnout actually feels like.

If you have ever felt like you are doing everything right but still feel off, this episode is for you.

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Kristen is joined by returning guest Alexis for a long overdue deep dive into Kristin Hannah and her unforgettable books. After teasing this conversation in a previous episode, they finally sit down to talk all things Kristin Hannah, from how they first discovered her to the books that completely wrecked them in the best way.

They share their personal reading journeys, including early favorites like Firefly Lane and newer hits like The Four Winds, plus the emotional impact of stories like Night Road and The Great Alone. There is also an honest conversation about the hype around The Nightingale and why not every popular book hits the same for everyone.

Along the way, Kristen and Alexis explore why Kristin Hannah’s books resonate so deeply, how different readers connect to different stories, and how timing in life can shape what becomes your favorite book. They even break down their personal rankings, hot takes included.

While this episode leans into book lover territory, there are plenty of relatable takeaways for anyone even remotely interested in reading. From getting out of a reading slump to finding stories that actually make you feel something, this conversation is full of honest reflections and real talk.

If you love emotional, character driven stories or are just looking for your next great read, this one is for you.

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In this episode, Kristen is joined by Alexis for a relaxed conversation about books, reading goals, and rediscovering the joy of reading. One year after setting their reading goals, they look back at the books they loved, the ones that surprised them, and a few that did not live up to the hype.

Kristen and Alexis also talk about the pressure that can come with tracking reading goals and why sometimes the best approach is simply reading for enjoyment. They share favorite books from the past year, discuss popular book tracking apps like Goodreads and StoryGraph, and talk honestly about reading slumps.

As they look ahead to 2026, they share new reading goals, books they are excited about, and why reading for joy matters more than hitting a certain number of books. 

If you love book recommendations, reading challenges, and honest conversations about reading habits, this episode is for you. 

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In this vulnerable and thought provoking conversation, Kristen and returning guest Emily explore what it means to treat competence like a costume. They unpack the pressure to be the good girl, the teacher’s pet, the high achiever, the boss who has it all together. From childhood validation to adult imposter syndrome, they reflect on how performing confidence and capability can slowly disconnect someone from their authentic self.

They discuss identity fatigue, burnout, fear of failure, social media personas, and the hidden exhaustion that comes from always being “on.” Kristen shares a powerful story about being told she gave an Oscar winning performance at work and why it felt strangely affirming. Together they examine how high functioning can mask stress, how perfectionism limits growth, and why learning to fail may be the most freeing goal of all.

If you have ever felt drained from being the strong one, the responsible one, or the happy one, this episode will help you feel seen and understood. It is a deep dive into authenticity, boundaries, self awareness, and what it takes to finally take off the mask.

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In this episode of Talk with Kristen (with an e), Kristen and returning guest Alexis explore boundaries in parenting and how they shift across different seasons of motherhood. While boundaries are often discussed in professional settings, this conversation focuses on parenting boundaries, mom guilt, and the mental load that so many mothers carry.

Alexis shares what boundaries look like in her large homeschooling family, from structured quiet evenings to protecting personal reset time during the day. Kristen reflects on raising a teenager and navigating independence, shared family time, and the fear of not doing enough.

Together, they unpack motherhood burnout, extracurricular overload, financial boundaries, and the tension between putting children first and maintaining your own identity. They also discuss how social media pressure can amplify feelings of guilt and comparison.

This episode is a reminder that setting boundaries with your kids does not make you selfish. It helps you show up as a healthier, more present parent. Every family looks different, and finding what works in your home matters more than meeting someone else’s standard.

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In the first episode of Season Three, Kristen reflects on what she has learned from the first two seasons of the podcast and how those lessons are shaping the next chapter. Through personal stories and honest reflection, she revisits recurring themes like burnout, boundaries, self acceptance, friendship, resilience, and learning to let go of comparison.

Kristen shares how the mantra peace over chaos became a guiding principle at work and in life, helping her step back from urgency culture, manage expectations, and make more intentional decisions. She also opens up about her evolving relationship with her body, weight, aging, and appearance, including choosing to dress for the body she has, embracing authenticity, and letting go of long held judgments about herself.

The episode touches on meaningful adult friendships, vulnerability, social media boundaries, and what it looks like to build deeper connections later in life. Kristen reflects on resilience from a new perspective, including stepping into a role she did not expect and learning to trust herself through change.

This episode sets the tone for Season Three as a space for growth, self reflection, confidence, and choosing what truly supports well being. It is an invitation for listeners to take stock of where they have been, release what no longer serves them, and move forward with clarity and intention.

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