How to Be Fine

Stitcher

Half advice show, half cultural critique, and one wild ride through the world of wellness. Join podcast besties Kristen Meinzer and Jolenta Greenberg as they dissect the inner workings of the betterment industry - and offer up some advice along the way. Their goal? To help get you a little closer to fine. Kristen and Jolenta's first show By the Book is on this feed. To hear back episodes of By the Book, just scroll down!

  • 29 minutes 59 seconds
    Rinna: The Hustling Traitor

    Why do we love Lisa Rinna so much? Why is she so good at selling clothes on QVC and betraying fellow Housewives on The Traitors? Jolenta thinks it’s because she’s a perfect example of The Businessman archetype and his evil alter-ego, The Traitor. Put your cloaks on bitches, we’re going into the turret to talk all about Rinna.

    Hot Mess-terpiece Insta


    SOURCES 

    • Greek Mythology, Robert Garland
    • Classical Mythology A-Z, Annette Giesecke
    • The Greek Myths, Robert Graves
    • Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal
    • Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton
    • 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
    • The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills - Peacock
    • The Traitors - Peacock

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    5 March 2026, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    A Table Flips in Jersey with JoAnn Crohn

    Jolenta is joined by Real Housewives of New Jersey connoisseur, JoAnn Crohn (No Guilt Mom) to discuss the infamous season one table flip scene. The two enjoy reminiscing about the early years of RHONJ and discuss why such an outrageous moment is so real and relatable.

    Joann’s Insta

    Hot Mess-terpiece Insta


    SOURCES:

    • Former ‘RHONJ’ producer Carlos King: Danielle Staub made show a hit, Page Six
    • The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Peacock
    • For Ultrareality, ‘Housewives’ Turns to Jersey Girls, The New York Times

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    26 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 40 minutes 17 seconds
    Summer’s Fool: The Kyle Cooke Story

    This week Jolenta does a deep dive on The Fool archetype and his evil alter-ego, The Derelict. Fools show up a lot in reality TV, from Lisa Barlow to Craig Conover. And of course she’s gonna profile the crown-prince of foolishness: Summer House’s Kyle Cooke.

    Hot Mess-terpiece Insta


    SOURCES

    • Greek Mythology, Robert Garland
    • The Greek Myths, Robert Graves
    • Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal
    • Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton
    • 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
    • Bravo Shows - Peacock


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    19 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
    America’s Sweethearts Deserve a Raise with Mara Wilson

    Jolenta is joined by writer/actor Mara Wilson, who shares her insights on America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and the season two contract negotiations. You don’t want to miss her hot takes on having your image monetized and chronic people pleasing.

    Mara’s Instagram

    Hot Mess-terpiece Instagram



    SOURCES :

    • America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Netflix
    • Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, Paramount+

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    12 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 41 minutes 10 seconds
    Shep Rose: The Southern Charmer

    It’s time to talk about two archetypes that can’t keep it in their pants and tend to use women - The Ladies Man and his evil alter-ego, The Seducer. Jolenta investigates how these messy f-boys show up in reality TV, paying special attention to Shep Rose from Southern Charm.

    Hot Mess-terpiece Insta


    SOURCES 

    • Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal
    • Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton
    • 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
    • Bravo Shows - Peacock
    • 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days - HBO Max


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    5 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 18 minutes
    Karen's Potomac Presser with Jenny Donheiser

    Jolenta is joined by Jenny Donheiser (How Were U Brainwashed?) to explore the origin story of the “press conference luncheon” - a somewhat common Real Housewives occourence. They delve into the anals of history and discuss the significance of Karen Huger holding a press conference in a steak house private room back in season three of The Real Housewives of Potomac.


    Jenny's Insta

    Hot Mess-terpiece Insta


    SOURCES

    • The Real Housewives, Peacock.com
    • ‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ star Karen Huger’s husband and his company owe millions in back taxes, Washington Post

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    29 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 37 minutes 51 seconds
    Kody Brown: The Sister Wives Dictator

    Jolenta goes to town on The King archetype and his evil alter ego, The Dictator. Guess who she thinks fits the profile? One mister Kody Brown, from Sister Wives. If you want to overanalyze Kody’s character and investigate his dictator ways, this is the episode for you. 

    Hot Mess-terpiece Insta


    SOURCES

    • Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal
    • Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton
    • 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
    • Bravo Shows - Peacock
    • Sister Wives - Hulu & HBO Max


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    22 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 48 minutes 35 seconds
    Free the Situation with Mary Houlihan

    Jolenta is joined by Mary Houlihan (The Mary Houlihan Show) to discuss a subject near and dear to Mary’s heart, The Jersey Shore. From the cast’s early feral days to their adult journeys through sobriety and marriage, Mary helps us understand the characters in this great American drama. And the two do a deep dive on Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino’s redemption arc, aka his release from prison.

    Mary's Insta

    Hot Mess-terpiece Insta


    SOURCES

    • The Jersey Shore and Jersey Shore: Family Vacation - Paramount+
    • Michael ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino, Marc Sorrentino Sentenced to Federal Prison on Tax Charges, US Department of Justice Archives
    • ‘Jersey Shore’ premiered 10 years ago on MTV. Here’s why the global phenomenon could go on forever, nj.com
    • Jersey Shore: An Oral History, Vulture

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    15 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 40 minutes 3 seconds
    Craig Conover: Portrait of a Southern Artist

    This week Jolenta takes a look at the character of Craig Conover from Southern Charm and how he fits into the Artist Archetype. And you know she gets into that evil alter ego and how the archetype shows up in mythology and a bunch of other reality shows.

    Hot Mess-terpiece Insta


    SOURCES

    • Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal
    • Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton
    • 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
    • Bravo Shows and After Shows - Peacock


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    8 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 28 minutes 37 seconds
    New Year, New Hot Topics

    Ring in the new year the classic way - with hot takes on hot topics. For a New Year’s treat, Jolenta is serving takes hot enough to warm your heart on a cold winter’s day. All things reality are discussed, from Southern Charm to Sister Wives.


    Hot Mess-terpiece Insta

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 34 minutes 1 second
    Book Report: Rich As F*ck by Amanda Frances (RHOBH)

    As a holiday gift to you, Jolenta returns to her podcasting roots with a deep dive on a self-help book. She read Rich As F*ck, so you don’t have to - the money manifesting manual by the newest Real Housewife of Beverly Hills, Amanda Frances. Does the book offer any genuinely useful advice? Does it give scam vibes the same way Amanda does on TV? Let’s find out!


    Hot Mess-terpiece Insta


    SOURCES:

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    25 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • More Episodes? Get the App