

Extended Scenes
Jennifer Romolini
A podcast about redefining ambition and success in the second half of life. Hosted by Jennifer Romolini. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 25, 2025 • 1h
The social contract is changing, how can we meet the moment? — with Kristen Lisanti!
This week I'm talking with thinker, leader, coach and mindfulness teacher Kristen Lisanti about how to have healthy conflict at this moment, invitations vs accusations, the price of community, resilience in relationships and how to be present for this moment, even when it's hard.If you want to find more of Kristen's work, head to: kristenlisanti.com.To support the show, listen to ad-free episodes and read more of my writing, you can subscribe to jennromolini.substack.com.The Extended Scenes theme song is by the band Maiden Names. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 18, 2025 • 55min
It's OK to not feel OK — with Ashley C. Ford
This week, I’m talking to Ashley C. Ford. Ashley is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, SOMEBODY’S DAUGHTER. She’s also an essayist, a podcast host, a speaker and an educator. This conversation touches on some of my favorite topics, including the "idea" of success vs. what it really feels like on the inside, following a path that's right for you and not what others expect of you, how it’s OK to not feel OK (especially right now) and tons more.The Extended Scenes theme song is by the band Maiden Names.To support the show, listen to ad-free episodes and read more of my writing, you can subscribe to jennromolini.substack.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 4, 2025 • 1h 7min
But Didn't We Have Fun? — with Glynnis MacNicol!
This week, I’m talking to Glynnis MacNicol, a longtime New York City journalist, author of the memoir "No One Tells You This" and the creator and host of the podcast Wilder. You probably know Glynnis from widely-acclaimed memoir "I’m Mostly Hear to Enjoy Myself" which came out last year.In her work, Glynnis explores freedom and making unconventional choices, the pleasure of knowing and accepting yourself as you are and living an independent life and we're discussing what it is to have a healthy relationship with ambition and success even as we're both aging and the publishing industry seems on the brink of collapse.You can find Glynnis @ glynnismacnicol.substack.comThe Extended Scenes theme song is by the band Maiden Names.To support the show, listen to ad-free episodes and read more of my writing, you can subscribe to jennromolini.substack.com.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 28, 2025 • 1h 12min
It doesn't have to suck — with Wynter Mitchell-Rohrbaugh!
My guest this week is Wynter Mitchell-Rohrbaugh. Wynter is a sought-after independent digital media strategist who’s responsible for the social media campaigns of many famous people you know. She's also an extremely online Gen Xer who's finding a lot of joy and contentment in what she does. This episode is about breaking rules, getting comfortable with precarity, knowing and accepting what you're good at and what you can't do at all, Charlie Sheen, the Democrats, and how Wynter is possibly, improbably surviving (and thriving) on social media right now.You can find Wynter across social media @wynterThe Extended Scenes theme song is by the band Maiden Names.To support the show, listen to ad-free episodes and read more of my writing, you can subscribe to jennromolini.substack.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 21, 2025 • 41min
Life on the Other Side of Burnout — with Emma Gannon!
This week I'm talking to popular Substack writer and novelist Emma Gannon about life on the other side of debilitating burnout, confronting who you actually are outside the performance of an ambitious persona, learning to feel more connected to yourself and make more authentic-to-you career and persoanl decisions and the "magical" right-sized success that often comes from all of it. You can find Emma at thehyphen.substack.com.The Extended Scenes theme song is by the band Maiden Names.To support the show, listen to ad-free episodes and read more of my writing, you can subscribe to jennromolini.substack.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 14, 2025 • 58min
The Ego Dream of it All — with A. J. Daulerio!
This week, I'm joined by writer A. J. Daulerio. A. J. is the former editor of websites like Gawker and Deadspin and he founded and now runs The Small Bow, a newsletter and podcast about addiction and recovery. We're talking all about perfectionism, validation seeking, shame, self diminishment, f*cked up ego math surrounding success and trying (and failing) to find balance with our work. You can find A.J. at thesmallbow.comThe Extended Scenes theme song is by the band Maiden Names.To support the show, listen to ad-free episodes and read more of my writing, you can subscribe to jennromolini.substack.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 7, 2025 • 50min
Redefining success (and failure!) — with Anne Helen Petersen
Join the insightful Anne Helen Petersen, a writer and culture critic known for her newsletter 'Culture Study' and the book 'Can’t Even.' She dives into the evolving definitions of success and failure, emphasizing authentic expression over traditional markers. The conversation touches on managing career pressures and the importance of navigating setbacks, especially in your 30s. Petersen shares personal anecdotes about balancing work-life responsibilities, the emotional toll of feedback, and the vital role of community in fostering fulfillment.

Jun 30, 2025 • 50min
The Joy of Realistic Expectations — with Samantha Irby!
This week's guest is the inimitable essayist and television writer Samantha Irby! Sam and I are exploring right-sizing success, setting realistic expectations for your career, coming to terms with professional failure and disappointment and the moments when you really feel like you've made it.You can find Samantha Irby at: bitchesgottaeat.substack.comTo support the show, listen to ad-free episodes and read more of my writing, you can subscribe to jennromolini.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 1min
When Gen X haters grow up — with Angela Garbes!
My first (!) guest is the writer and thinker Angela Garbes and we're exploring what it is to be a lifelong GenX hater living in opposition to the world, the evolution of ambition and redefining success for yourself over time, slowing down and finally feeling like you have enough, healing that 'bad kid' identity and (at last!) learning to live, connect and be seen as our authentic selves.You can find Angela at: angelagarbes.comBooks we discussed today:Conflict Is Not Abuse by Sarah SchulmanLove In a Fucked Up World byTo support the show, listen to ad-free episodes and read more of my writing, you can subscribe to jennromolini.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.