Gems and Friends – Details, episodes & analysis

This week: our favorite products, a deep-ish dive into Ballerina Farm, and a grab bag of random thoughts. Chaos, opinions, and fun, in typical Maddie and Nan fashion.

Links to everything we discuss can be found HERE.

For more follow along on Instagram:

Maddie: ⁠⁠@gemsiloved⁠

Nan: ⁠@Nan.Philip ⁠

Welcome to Gems & Friends!!

Links to the products we discuss can be found HERE.

For more follow along on Instagram:

Nan: @Nan.Philip

Maddie: @gemsiloved

This week we’re circling back on the protein powders we’ve been trying (and loving?), dishing on the beauty treatments that are actually worth it, and chatting through what’s sitting in our carts. From the impulsive to the investment-worthy. Think of it as a group chat catch-up, with a side of skincare and shopping.

Links to everything we discuss can be found HERE

Link to Maddie's eyebrow microblading gal is HERE

This week, Nan and Maddie sit down with their brilliant and stylish friend Madison Snider Podpirka—founder of the cult-favorite Brooklyn-based jewelry brand Fewer Finer. ✨

We chat about the real behind-the-scenes of building a business: hiring a team, staying true to your brand, and how an abundance mindset can shift everything. Madison also shares the evolution of her work (and herself), what it takes to design truly personal jewelry, and how her approach has changed with motherhood.

Plus, we get into everyday stuff—health routines, business dreams, mom life, and of course, the latest things she’s loving (and buying).

Find links to all the products and things we discuss ⁠HERE. ⁠

EPISODE GUIDE:

00:00 Madison's Background and Business Introduction

03:49 Sentimental Jewelry: The Fewer Finer Approach

09:09 Building a Team and Company Culture

14:29 Mindset and Business Philosophy

16:42 Brand Integrity and Quality Craftsmanship

20:52 Vision for the Future of Fewer Finer

25:10 Navigating Motherhood and Business

30:57 Madison’s Daily Routines 

34:28 Current Favorites and Recommendations

39:25 Building a Meaningful Jewelry Collection

41:08 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

This week we’re covering all the essentials (and non-essentials) we’ve been obsessing over (and promptly returning). From designing the perfect custom dog bed to prepping for a European adventure with a baby in tow, we’re talking travel tips, pet décor, and the girl math of a good return.

Links to everything we mention are HERE.

Timestamps:

14:02 - Dog Beds

21:00 - Maddie's Upcoming Trip to Europe

28:17 - Final Notes: What we are returning and what we have just purchased.

We get into the little rituals that keep us sane — from manicure preferences to therapy breakthroughs and the morning routines that actually stick. It’s casual, cozy, and a little chaotic (just how we like it). Grab your matcha and join us!

Shop the products we mention HERE.

Timestamps:

00:29 Baby Nell Was Sick

07:21 What We are Loving: Dazzle Dry Manicure & J.Crew Linen Pants

13:14 Open Tabs This Week

17:13 Influencers & Cosmetic Surgery

20:00 Lets Chat About Going to Therapy

27:22 Our Morning Routines: workouts, coffee, skincare and more

36:08 What We Returned: Donni Pants & J.Crew Cashmere Tee

41:54. Last Thing We Purchased

For more: follow @gemsandfriendspodcast on Instagram!

This week we sit down with ⁠Amanda Jones Vaughan⁠ to talk about the art of vintage shopping, evolving personal style, and how she juggles motherhood and building her business.

Find links to everything we discuss ⁠HERE. ⁠

Follow Amanda on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Substack! ⁠

For more:

Follow ⁠@gemsandfriendspodcast ⁠on Instagram!

Follow Nan ⁠@nan.philip⁠ and Maddie ⁠@gemsIloved ⁠

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In this episode of Gems and Friends, we’re talking all things summer sparkle… from the beaded necklaces we’re loving to the pieces that didn’t make the cut (hello, returns pile). We get real about body image, confidence, and why Katie Sturino continues to inspire us. We chat about GLP1, weight loss and more. Plus, a little banter about shopping highs, sizing woes, and that one necklace we can’t stop thinking about.

Find links to everything we discuss ⁠HERE. ⁠

For more:

Follow ⁠@gemsandfriendspodcast ⁠on Instagram!

Follow Maddie ⁠⁠@gemsIloved and Nan ⁠@nan.philip⁠.

Subscribe & leave us a comment or review!

This week we sit down with your new favorite internet personality (and Maddie’s brother) @johnnyhilbrant.

Johnny is blowing up for his hilarious takes on the world of PE bros, but there’s more! We talk about Johnny’s surprising path to content creation, what he’s learned from going viral, and how he stays grounded while the internet eats it up.

Plus, a little sibling banter, some life advice, and reminders to stay present, even when you're busy building a brand.

Find links to everything we discuss ⁠HERE. ⁠

For more:

Follow ⁠@gemsandfriendspodcast ⁠on Instagram!

Follow Nan ⁠@nan.philip⁠ and Maddie ⁠@gemsIloved ⁠

Subscribe & leave us a comment or review!

Maddie’s back from Europe and Nan’s back from the Hermès store (or really, just from shopping on Fashionphile!) — so naturally, we have a lot to catch up on this week.

We chat about traveling with a baby, recent purchases, trip highlights, Nan’s boldest buy yet and also a bit about social media, instagram vs. substack and more.

Links to everything can be found HERE.

For more:

Follow ⁠@gemsandfriendspodcast ⁠on Instagram!

Follow Nan ⁠@nan.philip⁠ and Maddie ⁠@gemsIloved ⁠

Subscribe & leave us a comment or review!