About
Alesia
Alesia (uh-lee-shuh) is a freelance journalist currently navigating the wilds of Los Angeles. With decades of experience writing and reporting for national and local TV and print outlets, she’s covered just about everything—except sports. (She once tried to care about the Super Bowl, but the commercials were the only thing that held her attention.)
Over the years, Alesia has braved hundreds of red carpets and awards shows. But as time (and industry layoffs) marched on, she realized she still wanted to keep up with current events—and share them—leading her and her longtime besties to create the Friends From High School podcast.
She has been happily married to a proud Irish-American since 2002, a man who reminds her regularly of his deep ancestral roots (and possibly his superiority). Together, they’ve shared his two wonderful daughters and a lots of heartbreak and love around their beloved fur babies.
An avowed vegan, Alesia passionately promotes this ethical and sustainable way of life, with varying degrees of success—she’s lost count of how many times someone has asked, “But don’t you miss bacon?” (Answer: No.)
She’s a dedicated foodie with a particular love for Mexican, Italian, Greek, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian cuisine, which basically means her spice rack is out of control.
In 2014, she became a certified Essentrics instructor, helping people lengthen, strengthen, and tone their bodies with a gentle yet deceptively effective workout. (It usually doesn't make you sore, but if it does, she’s not sorry.)
Thanks to a mother who is a former beauty queen and still has barely a wrinkle, Alesia is deeply invested in aging gracefully. With the help of her trusty microcurrent device, red light mask, and a little Dysport, she’s doing her best to fight gravity—but only as naturally as possible.
Over the years, Alesia has braved hundreds of red carpets and awards shows. But as time (and industry layoffs) marched on, she realized she still wanted to keep up with current events—and share them—leading her and her longtime besties to create the Friends From High School podcast.
She has been happily married to a proud Irish-American since 2002, a man who reminds her regularly of his deep ancestral roots (and possibly his superiority). Together, they’ve shared his two wonderful daughters and a lots of heartbreak and love around their beloved fur babies.
An avowed vegan, Alesia passionately promotes this ethical and sustainable way of life, with varying degrees of success—she’s lost count of how many times someone has asked, “But don’t you miss bacon?” (Answer: No.)
She’s a dedicated foodie with a particular love for Mexican, Italian, Greek, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian cuisine, which basically means her spice rack is out of control.
In 2014, she became a certified Essentrics instructor, helping people lengthen, strengthen, and tone their bodies with a gentle yet deceptively effective workout. (It usually doesn't make you sore, but if it does, she’s not sorry.)
Thanks to a mother who is a former beauty queen and still has barely a wrinkle, Alesia is deeply invested in aging gracefully. With the help of her trusty microcurrent device, red light mask, and a little Dysport, she’s doing her best to fight gravity—but only as naturally as possible.
Becky
Becky, a retired teacher and native Floridian, lives in the typically sunny yet humid Tampa area, where everyone wears flip flops year-round. For nearly 40 years, Becky dedicated herself to inspiring students to learn about people with different life experiences and stories of redemption through great books—and hopefully become better readers and thinkers, too.
After retiring a few years ago, Becky became a volunteer crisis counselor and life coach which helps her stay positive and manage her own lifelong anxiety. Plus, encouraging others to see their value reminds her to be kind to herself as well.
As a progressive Christian, Becky’s faith is rooted in social justice, inclusion, compassion, equality, and protecting the planet—because let’s face it, we’re all in this together and we only have one Earth. Also, as the youngest of six, with a mom who was one of nine, Becky’s large, diverse family has given her the ability to see the world from various perspectives—because she’s had no other choice but to do so!
Since 1988 Becky has been married to her devoted, tech-savvy husband, who assists her with everything from fixing Wi-Fi to finding her phone when it’s “lost” (often in her purse), and after nearly a decade of fertility challenges, in the late 1990s, they were blessed with three children, who bring them immense joy and were worth the wait.
Despite decades of chronic back pain, Becky keeps going with aid from doctors, devices, and physical therapy, aka the “benevolent torture chamber.” She enjoys wildlife, sunsets, cool-weather walks on tree-lined or mountain trails, board games, and being with loved ones, as long as they don’t make her sweat. When on the treadmill, she’s usually “nude” - trying to beat the heat.
Her guiding verse is Micah 6:8: “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God,” though it can be especially tough to follow if she’s sweating.
After retiring a few years ago, Becky became a volunteer crisis counselor and life coach which helps her stay positive and manage her own lifelong anxiety. Plus, encouraging others to see their value reminds her to be kind to herself as well.
As a progressive Christian, Becky’s faith is rooted in social justice, inclusion, compassion, equality, and protecting the planet—because let’s face it, we’re all in this together and we only have one Earth. Also, as the youngest of six, with a mom who was one of nine, Becky’s large, diverse family has given her the ability to see the world from various perspectives—because she’s had no other choice but to do so!
Since 1988 Becky has been married to her devoted, tech-savvy husband, who assists her with everything from fixing Wi-Fi to finding her phone when it’s “lost” (often in her purse), and after nearly a decade of fertility challenges, in the late 1990s, they were blessed with three children, who bring them immense joy and were worth the wait.
Despite decades of chronic back pain, Becky keeps going with aid from doctors, devices, and physical therapy, aka the “benevolent torture chamber.” She enjoys wildlife, sunsets, cool-weather walks on tree-lined or mountain trails, board games, and being with loved ones, as long as they don’t make her sweat. When on the treadmill, she’s usually “nude” - trying to beat the heat.
Her guiding verse is Micah 6:8: “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God,” though it can be especially tough to follow if she’s sweating.
Kim
Kim is one-third of Friends from High School and a lifelong animal lover. For
nearly 20 years, she has been a dedicated volunteer and foster mom with
Suncoast Basset Rescue, helping countless dogs find their furever homes. Two
of those pups—Bernie (12) and Janey (10)—became beloved "foster fails" and
now rule her home. And somehow, along the way, two rescue kitties—Toby and
Tally—joined the mix. "When did we become a cat family?!"
Despite never quite figuring out what she wanted to be when she grew up, Kim
has spent 20 years in the banking industry and currently manages a very busy
branch. She loves working with people and has an amazing team, but she’s also
ready to explore new horizons—like podcasting!
Kim is often described as independent, honest, and forthright—sometimes to a
fault. She holds her integrity in high esteem and believes in staying true to
herself, no matter the situation.
A true music lover, Kim cherishes the memories of traveling across the country
with her mom to see Adam Lambert, from Vancouver to Connecticut to Palm
Beach and everywhere in between. She’s also a foodie who appreciates all kinds
of cuisine, with a special love for fresh, authentic Mexican dishes. Though she
aspires to be a vegetarian out of love for animals and the environment, poultry
remains her weakness—especially when it comes to her homemade soups
(which, by the way, are fantastic).
Alesia and Becky are both gifted writers and orators with incredible minds, able
to recall details and experiences with impressive clarity. Kim, on the other hand,
gets to relive their shared adventures for the first time as they reflect—because,
well, she just doesn’t remember! (And just to be clear, it’s not due to substances
or alcohol—just the way she’s wired.) She is grateful for the mind she was given
and considers herself intelligent, though her strengths are more intuitive than
factual. While she may not be the best at recalling details, she brings a unique
perspective to every conversation.
That said, Kim is the only one of the trio who enjoys alcohol on occasion. Her
favorites? A rich red wine and, more recently, cucumber vodka with ginger
beer—her newest go-to.
Kim believes her mom is the strongest and kindest person she has ever known.
Everyone who meets her mom is instantly drawn to her, including Kim’s friends
from high school and beyond. The bond they share is one of the most important
relationships in her life, and her admiration for her mom knows no bounds.
nearly 20 years, she has been a dedicated volunteer and foster mom with
Suncoast Basset Rescue, helping countless dogs find their furever homes. Two
of those pups—Bernie (12) and Janey (10)—became beloved "foster fails" and
now rule her home. And somehow, along the way, two rescue kitties—Toby and
Tally—joined the mix. "When did we become a cat family?!"
Despite never quite figuring out what she wanted to be when she grew up, Kim
has spent 20 years in the banking industry and currently manages a very busy
branch. She loves working with people and has an amazing team, but she’s also
ready to explore new horizons—like podcasting!
Kim is often described as independent, honest, and forthright—sometimes to a
fault. She holds her integrity in high esteem and believes in staying true to
herself, no matter the situation.
A true music lover, Kim cherishes the memories of traveling across the country
with her mom to see Adam Lambert, from Vancouver to Connecticut to Palm
Beach and everywhere in between. She’s also a foodie who appreciates all kinds
of cuisine, with a special love for fresh, authentic Mexican dishes. Though she
aspires to be a vegetarian out of love for animals and the environment, poultry
remains her weakness—especially when it comes to her homemade soups
(which, by the way, are fantastic).
Alesia and Becky are both gifted writers and orators with incredible minds, able
to recall details and experiences with impressive clarity. Kim, on the other hand,
gets to relive their shared adventures for the first time as they reflect—because,
well, she just doesn’t remember! (And just to be clear, it’s not due to substances
or alcohol—just the way she’s wired.) She is grateful for the mind she was given
and considers herself intelligent, though her strengths are more intuitive than
factual. While she may not be the best at recalling details, she brings a unique
perspective to every conversation.
That said, Kim is the only one of the trio who enjoys alcohol on occasion. Her
favorites? A rich red wine and, more recently, cucumber vodka with ginger
beer—her newest go-to.
Kim believes her mom is the strongest and kindest person she has ever known.
Everyone who meets her mom is instantly drawn to her, including Kim’s friends
from high school and beyond. The bond they share is one of the most important
relationships in her life, and her admiration for her mom knows no bounds.