Unfiltered-ish

Carina Gardner, Nicki Krawczyk, and Natali Edmonds

Unfiltered-ish is the midlife group chat you wish you were in. Each week, Carina Gardner, Nicki Krawczyk, and Natali Edmonds talk honestly about friendship, ambition, marriage, dating, money, aging, success, reinvention, and the strange little things that make you wonder, “Wait, is everyone else thinking this too?” They’re business friends turned real-life besties, bringing humor, honesty, and just enough chaos to the conversations women usually save for private texts.

  1. MAY 20

    Episode 29: The One Where We Wonder if We Have Enough Friends

    Send us a text, question, or comment How many close friends do you actually have — and is that normal? In this episode of Unfiltered-ish, the one where we talk about friendship circles, Natali, Carina, and Nicki unpack what adult friendships really look like in midlife — from inner circles to casual connections. They start by sharing how many people they each consider “close friends,” and quickly realize they define friendship very differently. From having 3 deeply intimate relationships to managing multiple “pods” of friends, the conversation explores what closeness actually means. They dive into:  How many close friends people can realistically maintain  Inner circle vs outer circle friendships  Deep friendships vs social or convenience friendships  Why friendships change in your 30s and 40s  The difference between family relationships and chosen friendships  How time, energy, and life stages impact connection They also discuss a popular social theory that suggests most people can only maintain about five truly close relationships at once — and what happens when someone new enters your life. The conversation gets deeper as they explore:  Honesty as the foundation of strong friendships  Outgrowing certain relationships  Why shared interests (like business or lifestyle) strengthen connection  How friendships evolve over time — and why some naturally fade If you’ve ever wondered how many close friends you’re “supposed” to have, questioned your inner circle, or felt your friendships shifting in midlife, this episode offers a thoughtful, honest, and relatable perspective. Unfiltered-ish is a women’s podcast about friendship, midlife, personal growth, and the conversations we don’t always say out loud.

    21 min
  2. MAY 13

    Episode 28: The One Where We Take a Personality Quiz (And Call Out Each Other’s Flaws)

    Send us a text, question, or comment What actually drives your behavior — and what are your biggest blind spots? In this episode of Unfiltered-ish, the one where we take a personality quiz, Natali, Carina, and Nikki dive into the Tony Robbins “6 Human Needs” framework and uncover what motivates them, what holds them back, and what they might not see about themselves. They walk through a personality and self-discovery quiz in real time, reacting to each question, guessing each other’s answers, and debating what actually fits. They explore:  The six human needs (certainty, variety, significance, love/connection, growth, contribution)  Personality traits and driving forces  Strengths vs Achilles heels  How different people define success, stability, and fulfillment  Emotional needs in relationships and friendships  Why self-awareness is harder than it seems The conversation gets especially honest when they start calling out each other’s blind spots — from people-pleasing and overgiving to ambition, ego, and the pressure to keep growing. They also question:  Are personality quizzes actually accurate?  Can a 10-question quiz really define you?  What happens when your results don’t match how you see yourself? If you’ve ever taken a personality test, questioned your patterns, or wondered what really drives your decisions in midlife, this episode offers a mix of humor, self-reflection, and real conversation. Unfiltered-ish is a women’s podcast about personal growth, self-awareness, relationships, and the conversations we don’t always say out loud.

    39 min
  3. MAY 6

    Episode 27: The One Where We Treat Dating Like a Business

    Send us a text, question, or comment What if your dating life isn’t broken — it just needs a better strategy? In this episode of Unfiltered-ish, the one where we treat dating like a business, Natali, Carina, and Nikki talk about dating apps, burnout, and how to approach modern dating in a completely different way. What starts as a conversation about creating a dating profile quickly turns into a deeper discussion about control, mindset, and why dating can feel so much harder than building a business. They explore:  Dating apps like Bumble and Hinge  Why online dating can feel frustrating and exhausting  Dating burnout and emotional fatigue  Treating dating like a funnel (top of funnel, messaging, and filtering)  How to create a dating profile that actually attracts the right people  Letting go of pressure to “find the one”  Dating for curiosity instead of outcome They also reflect on:  Why business feels easier than personal relationships  Control vs uncertainty in dating  How expectations impact your dating experience  Friendship, support, and navigating midlife together Along the way, they share stories from a week spent together — including photo shoots, AI experiments, hot air balloon rides, and the real conversations that happen when you slow down and talk about what actually matters. If you’ve ever felt stuck in dating, frustrated with dating apps, or unsure how to meet someone in a more intentional way, this episode offers a fresh, practical, and surprisingly empowering perspective. Unfiltered-ish is a women’s podcast about midlife, relationships, personal growth, friendship, and the conversations we don’t always say out loud.

    27 min
  4. APR 29

    Episode 26: The One Where We Build the Perfect Dating Application

    Send us a text, question, or comment Are dating apps actually helping — or just making dating harder? In this episode of Unfiltered-ish, the one where we rethink dating apps, Natali, Carina, and Nikki dive into modern dating, first date expectations, and what really matters in a relationship. What starts as a conversation about Bumble, Hinge, and online dating quickly turns into a deeper discussion about compatibility, red flags, and how women think about relationships in midlife. They explore:  The reality of dating apps (Bumble, Hinge, Match, eHarmony)  Why online dating can feel exhausting  A creative alternative: building your own dating “application”  The kinds of questions that actually reveal compatibility  First date ideas and what makes a good first impression  Relationship expectations, communication, and shared values  Red flags, green flags, and subtle deal breakers  Food habits, generosity, and the small moments that matter They also play with relationship scenarios and games like:  “Could you love someone if…” (deal breaker conversations)  Conversation starters and real-life “pickup lines”  How to initiate meaningful conversations without apps Along the way, the conversation gets funny, honest, and unexpectedly insightful about what women actually want in a partner — and why that’s not always easy to articulate. If you’ve ever felt frustrated with dating apps, questioned your relationship standards, or wondered how to meet someone in a more authentic way, this episode offers a fresh, unfiltered perspective. Unfiltered-ish is a women’s podcast about relationships, midlife, dating, personal growth, and the conversations we don’t always say out loud.

    29 min
  5. APR 22

    Episode 25: The One Where We Debate Love, Red Flags, and K-Pop Demon Hunters

    Send us a text, question, or comment What counts as a red flag — and how much should someone’s past matter in a relationship? In this episode of Unfiltered-ish, the one where we debate love, red flags, and K-Pop Demon Hunters, Natali, Carina, and Nikki react to the movie and unexpectedly dive into a deeper conversation about relationships, dating standards, and how women interpret love very differently. What starts as a playful (and slightly chaotic) reaction to a film turns into a passionate debate about:  Red flags vs green flags in relationships  Can someone change — or are patterns permanent?  Toxic relationships vs healthy love  Emotional vs logical decision-making in dating  Why we’re drawn to complicated people  Trust, self-preservation, and relationship expectations They also unpack how personality shapes the way we view love, including:  Being more cynical vs more naive in relationships  Giving people the benefit of the doubt vs looking for warning signs  Wanting a soulmate vs believing in multiple partners over time  How past experiences influence dating decisions Along the way, they explore:  The idea of “soulmates” vs realistic relationships  Why some people hold out for deep connection while others settle  Female friendship dynamics and how we challenge each other  What it actually means to choose a partner in midlife If you’ve ever questioned your relationship standards, argued with friends about what’s a red flag, or wondered why people see the same situation so differently, this episode will feel relatable, honest, and surprisingly insightful. Unfiltered-ish is a women’s podcast about relationships, midlife, personal growth, friendship, and the conversations we don’t always say out loud.

    50 min
  6. APR 15

    Episode 24: The One Where We Actually Go on the Hot Air Balloon Ride

    Send us a text, question, or comment What happens when you actually follow through on the thing you said you’d never do? In this episode of Unfiltered-ish, the one where we finally go on the hot air balloon ride, Natali, Carina, and Nikki bring Episode 11: The One Where We Make Hot Air Balloon Plans full circle and actually do the thing. What started as a casual, “we would never do that” conversation turns into a real-life experience — complete with early morning nerves, questionable logistics, and a surprisingly honest conversation about fear, friendship, and doing things anyway. They talk about:  Facing fears in midlife  Why we say no to things before we even try them  How quickly “never” can turn into “okay, let’s do it”  Friendship dynamics and saying yes for each other  Letting go of control and trusting the experience Along the way, the conversation takes an unexpected turn into:  Mortality, legacy, and what we want to be remembered for  Whether we feel “ready” for the next chapter of life  Kids, family, and unfinished dreams  Building something meaningful while we’re still here Then — after all the anticipation — they actually go on the hot air balloon ride. From peaceful views and sunrise moments to a chaotic (and very real) landing, they share what it felt like to be thousands of feet in the air, what surprised them most, and whether it lived up to the expectation. If you listened to Episode 11, this is the follow-up you didn’t know you needed. If you’ve ever talked yourself out of something, postponed an experience, or needed a push to finally do the thing — this episode is a reminder that sometimes the best moments come from saying yes. Unfiltered-ish is a women’s podcast about midlife, friendship, personal growth, and the conversations we don’t always say out loud.

    37 min
  7. APR 8

    Episode 23: The One Where We Get Honest About Marriage, Money, and Relationships

    Send us a text, question, or comment What happens when you answer uncomfortable questions about money, relationships, family, and marriage — out loud? In this episode of Unfiltered-ish, the one where we play a confession game, Natali, Carina, and Nikki use a card game to spark honest, unfiltered conversations about relationships, personal habits, family dynamics, and money. What starts as a light, playful game quickly turns into deeper discussions about:  Marriage expectations and relationship roles  What it means to be a “provider” in a relationship  Emotional support vs financial support in partnerships  Gender roles, dating, and modern relationships  Setting boundaries and avoiding one-sided relationships  Family dynamics, childhood influence, and inherited traits  Money conversations and why talking about income feels uncomfortable They also explore how midlife changes the way women think about relationships, including:  Redefining marriage rules  Wanting partnership vs independence  Emotional connection, effort, and feeling valued  The difference between being cared for vs being taken care of Along the way, there are laughs, honest confessions, unexpected disagreements, and real talk about what women actually want in relationships but don’t always say out loud. If you’ve ever questioned relationship dynamics, struggled with boundaries, or wondered how expectations shift in midlife, this episode will feel relatable, thoughtful, and very real. Unfiltered-ish is a women’s podcast about relationships, midlife, personal growth, and the conversations we don’t always say out loud.

    49 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Unfiltered-ish is the midlife group chat you wish you were in. Each week, Carina Gardner, Nicki Krawczyk, and Natali Edmonds talk honestly about friendship, ambition, marriage, dating, money, aging, success, reinvention, and the strange little things that make you wonder, “Wait, is everyone else thinking this too?” They’re business friends turned real-life besties, bringing humor, honesty, and just enough chaos to the conversations women usually save for private texts.

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