Clear, direct communication, reciprocity, and adult friendships are the theme of this solo catch-up. Alessandra gets honest about recognizing patterns (hello, boundaries!), pulling back when there’s no reciprocity, and why you don’t owe anyone a 24/7 version of you. We dig into millennial money shame (renting vs. buying in 2025), dating after divorce when you have kids, and the grief that comes when friendships shift as loved ones enter the “mom era.” Plus: fall fragrance layering with pistachio lotion, dark-academia book recs, and cozy TV/book adaptations to binge.

Books mentioned: The Secret History (Donna Tartt), The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches (Sangu Mandanna), Educated (Tara Westover).

To write in your own Spill The Tea For Therapy submission email Alessandra at vibinandkindathrivin@gmail.com.

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Plus-size supermodel and body-positivity advocate Tess Holliday joins Alessandra to talk representation in fashion, practicing body neutrality, eating-disorder recovery, mental health, motherhood, dating while plus-size (and queer), and building real community in an algorithm-obsessed world. We get into setting boundaries online, handling trolls with compassion (and clapbacks), finding confidence through action, protecting your inner child, and why third spaces matter. Tess also shares the heart behind her new teen/tween book, Take Up Space, Y’all: Your Bold & Bright Guide to Self-Love, packed with expert insights, prompts, and practical tools for navigating social media, friendships, and body image. If you’ve ever felt “too much” or “not enough,” this one’s your soft place to land.

Buy Take Up Space Y'all

Follow Tess on instagram and tik tok

To write in your own Spill The Tea For Therapy submission email Alessandra at vibinandkindathrivin@gmail.com.

Follow Alessandra @vibinwithabg

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Today Alessandra is joined by Phaith Montoya (@phaithmontoya).

Using her platform for fashion, beauty and most importantly plus size positivity, Phaith is a fresh air in the social media world. She talks about dealing with her haters, not wanting the world to weaponize her health journey, and how the strong women in her life have influenced her.

Tik Tok: phaithmontoya

YouTube:@phaith

To write in your own Spill The Tea For Therapy submission email Alessandra at vibinandkindathrivin@gmail.com.

Follow Alessandra @vibinwithabg

To support the show please check out the sponsors!

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Shopify: Start your $1 a month trial period at shopify.com/vibin

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This week Alessandra is joined by her fiancé Billi for a little Q&A session. Alessandra is shocked to find out what Billi determines to be the soundtrack to his life. The couple shares what they wish they would have known before getting into a serious relationship and what do they think non negotiable should be in your partner.

Alessandra came upon a TikTok series that highlighted a young girl's abusive relationship and this leads to a discussion on how important it is to maintain your individualism in a relationship and so much more. Later in the episode a listener spills the tea about her friends secret betrayal! To write in your own Spill The Tea For Therapy submission email Alessandra at vibinandkindathrivin@gmail.com

Follow Alessandra @vibinwithabg

To support the show please check out the sponsors!

Shopify: Start your $1 a month trial period at shopify.com/vibin

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Kayla (@corporatespiritguide), if you didn't know, is part of the KILLR team! Today she joins Alessandra for a fun conversation on how she's been dealing with haters, how people should educate themselves with history of the Appalachia, and shares her diverse background from being adopted to corporate lawyer.

To write in about your dating experiences or for any advice, email vibinandkindathrivin@gmail.com and make sure to check us out @vibinandkindathrivin!

To support the show please check out the sponsors!

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This week on Vibin’ & Kinda Thrivin’, Alessandra gets real about her latest emotional reads, the dark side of social media, and why hitting kids is never okay. She shares her thoughts on desensitization, parenting, and letting go of people-pleasing in her 30s.

Plus, listeners write in with messy family drama (tequila was definitely involved), boundary issues in blended families, and navigating heartbreak after losing a soulmate-level friend.

Send your stories to vibinandkindathrivin@gmail.com.

Follow Alessandra @vibinwithabg

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This week on Vibin’ and Kinda Thrivin’, Alessandra dives into summer reading recs (hello The Compound and Atmosphere), her favorite NYC bookstores, and why being an adult in summer kinda sucks. Then it’s time to Spill the Tea with messy listener submissions about family drama, toxic in-laws, wedding betrayals, and porn addiction in relationships.

If you love unfiltered advice, juicy stories, and all the bookish vibes this episode is for you.

Submit your tea to vibinandkindathrivin@gmail.com.

To support the show please check out the sponsors!

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This week on Vibin’ and Kinda Thrivin’, Alessandra shares life updates, Love Island hot takes, and her favorite new reads. She talks about planning her first international trip with Billi and rebranding the pod.

In the Spill the Tea segment, listeners write in with messy family drama, toxic friendships, and tough boundaries with parents. From secret families at Thanksgiving to getting cut from a wedding party, it’s a rollercoaster of relatable chaos.

Send in your own questions to vibinandkindathrivin@gmail.com and tune in every Wednesday for new episodes.

Follow Alessandra @vibinwithabg

To support the show please check out the sponsors!

Earnin': Download Earnin today on the google play and apple app stores.

Shopify: Start your $1 a month trial period at shopify.com/vibin

Rocket Money: Cancel your unwanted subscriptions at rocketmoney.com/vibin

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.