Season 2 is officially here. 

We’re kicking things off with a full reset — what changed, what we’re no longer tolerating, and the boundaries we’re actually keeping this year. From burnout lessons and unpopular opinions to Katie’s travel days from hell and a reality TV deep dive into Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and The Traitors, this episode is equal parts growth and chaos.

Intentional boundaries, honest conversations, and still a little unhinged — welcome to Season 2.

🚨 EMERGENCY EPISODE ALERT 🚨

Because apparently people do not stop peopling during the holidays—and we officially could not catch a break. 

This week, we’re joined by our biggest fan: Katie’s husband, Garrett (aka GBaby). After months of interrupting during filming, he finally makes his debut—offering live reactions to the madness, sharing his own work horror stories, and bravely sitting in silence while Katie roasts him for the tire-related fiasco. 

Katie breaks down her multi-day tire fiasco that left her carless, stressed, and driving Garrett’s massive vehicle around Orange County—much to the fear of literally everyone on the road. 

But the real reason for this emergency pod? THEFT AT THE STUDIO.
Yes… we catch it on camera, confront the situation head-on, and unpack the chaos that followed. 

We also dive into: 

• The unbelievable drama surrounding sticky socks (selling them, giving them away, and apparently stealing them)
• Scammer stories and real experiences from both Katie and Garrett
• A quick but passionate recap of the Taylor Swift docuseries to close us out

If you needed proof that small business ownership during the holidays is unhinged… this episode is it.
 
⏱️ Episode Timeframe
 
0:00 – 0:31 | Intro
0:31 – 17:40 | Katie’s tire fiasco + being carless chaos
17:40 – 35:00 | Sticky sock… sticky finger theft caught on camera
35:00 – 47:35 | More sticky sock drama & studio chaos
47:35 – 1:00:35 | Garrett’s early career horror story + scam experiences
1:00:35 – 1:09:15 | Taylor Swift docuseries recap & closing thoughts
 

In our last episode of the year, we’re doing a full year-end inventory: the wins that flew under the radar, the losses that taught us the most, and the moments that stretched us emotionally, professionally, and personally. We talk career growth, shifting boundaries, burnout survival, friendship, and how Work Wives & Real Lives became more than just a podcast this year.

You’ll also meet our newest segment, Unpopular Opinions (enter at your own risk), plus a deep dive into the first two episodes of the Taylor Swift docuseries—because pop culture is self-reflection, actually. We close it all out by sharing our intentions for 2026: fewer rules, more clarity, and zero interest in hustle-for-the-sake-of-hustle.

This episode is part reflection, part reality TV commentary, part emotional group chat—and full permission to rest, change your mind, and want something different next year.

We’re closing 2025… but the plot is absolutely still thickening for your Work Wives.

In this episode of Work Wives and Real Lives, Ava and Katie step into the yearly whirlwind that is December—the month where the to-do list triples, emotions run high, and somehow we’re all still expected to “soak up the magic.” Spoiler:
We’re soaking up something, but it’s definitely not magic. 

From holiday events and business deadlines to membership pushes, teacher schedules, family chaos, gift buying, and end-of-year everything… this episode dives into what this season actually feels like for two women running a fitness studio, managing a team, juggling relationships, and trying not to collapse into a glitter-covered pile of burnout. 

We recap our week, unpack this month’s chaos, answer live work emergencies on the mic, and try (keyword: try) to keep things afloat during the busiest, wildest, most delusional time of the year. 

Timestamps 

0:00–0:31 — Intro
0:31–45:00 — Weekly recap: the show It’s All Her Fault, travel chaos, and life updates that make no sense
45:00–1:06:08 — Studio chaos + Ava puts on her manager hat LIVE as we solve a real-time work emergency
1:06:08–1:23:05 — Reality-TV recap + our final thoughts on whatever the hell is happening this month 

If you’re deep in the end-of-year hustle and just trying to survive? Same. Grab your coffee, therapy snack, or adult beverage of choice and let’s get into it!

Starting a business sounds cute… until you’re crying in your car between meetings, Googling “how to do taxes for adults,” and wondering why no one warned you about any of this.

In this episode of Work Wives and Real Lives, we’re pulling back the curtain on the parts of entrepreneurship that don’t make it to Instagram — the messy beginnings, the unexpected failures, the tiny wins that kept us going, and the things we wish someone had told us before we signed up for this chaotic, beautiful rollercoaster.

From diabolical catch-ups to brutally honest business talk, we’re breaking down the myths, the real costs, the emotional whiplash, and the identity crisis moments that come with building something from scratch. If you’re dreaming about starting a business (or you’re in the thick of one), this episode is your reminder that you’re not alone, you’re not behind, and the hard parts are actually the most transformative.

Real talk. Real laughs. Real lessons.
No gatekeeping — just two work wives keeping it WAY too honest.

0:00 – 0:00:31 — Intro

0:00:31 – 0:37:15 — Catch Up & Diabolical Conversations
Unhinged updates, chaos in its purest form, and all the real-life moments before we get into the serious stuff.

0:37:15 – 0:46:41 — Work Wife Opinions
Hot takes, questionable advice, strong opinions, and the business (and life) convos we’re definitely not qualified for — but talk about anyway.

0:46:41 – 1:17:18 — The Reality of Business Ownership
The myths people believe vs. what actually happens behind the scenes.
The failures, lessons, surprises, and the moments that made everything worth it.

1:17:18 – 1:37:24 — Reality Recap + A Brief History/Government Chat
Closing thoughts, unexpected tangents, and a hilarious/panic-inducing dive into the world around us.

Work Wives & Real Lives — where business, friendship, and chaos collide

In this episode, Ava and Katie unpack what it really means to step into your Main Character Energy—and when that confidence accidentally drifts into full-blown burnout performance. From Italian adventures to retail markdown meltdowns, this one is equal parts unhinged, honest, and career-girl validating.

Whether you're navigating small business life, trying to be the confident queen your resume says you are, or just avoiding saying “per my last message,” this episode hits home.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

0:00 – 0:00:31 — Intro
Welcome back to another week of chaos, friendship, and unfiltered honesty.

0:00:31 – 0:25:35 — Weekend Recap
Katie’s farewell days at sea + her deep dive into Italian adventures.
Ava tries (and fails) not to be jealous while giving her own weekend updates.

0:25:35 – 0:32:16 — Main Character Text Message Drama
We read the text that was giving Main Character Energy™ and resist saying “per my last message.”

0:32:16 – 0:42:44 — Small Business Pricing Real Talk
Behind-the-scenes honesty about markdowns, margins, and what businesses actually take home.
Ava pleads for everyone to buy retail so she can keep her job.

0:42:44 – 1:04:56 — Main Character Energy in Professional Settings
How to build confidence, stay authentic, avoid performance burnout, and apply lessons from past bosses and jobs.

1:04:56 – 1:25:30 — Reality TV Recap + Real-Life Insecurities
Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, DWTS, Love Thy Nader, and how TV reflects the insecurities we all face.
Final thoughts on finding your main character energy without losing your sanity.

This week, Ava & Katie report live from a cruise ship in Croatia — breaking down vacation chaos, reality TV drama, and how they actually use AI to work smarter, not harder. 🌊💻🍾

Katie checks in from somewhere between Dubrovnik and Split (wine in hand - obvi) sharing cruise highlights. Ava reacts from home, pretending not to be jealous. Then, they dive into their favorite ChatGPT hacks — from managing emails to planning trips and even rewriting tense texts — proving that AI isn’t cheating, it’s efficiency.

Later, they get into reality TV commentary, including RHSLC drama, a Rotten Tomato rabbit hole, and Selling Sunset chaos, before wrapping up with final thoughts on delegation, productivity, and how AI helps reclaim time.

Whether you love travel chaos, AI life hacks, or just want a laugh — you’re in the right place!

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – 0:00:31 | Intro
0:00:31 – 0:29:07 | Weekend and life updates + cruise life in Croatia 
0:29:07 – 0:52:56 | How we actually use ChatGPT every day (work, content, personal life, boundaries, delegation, productivity hacks)
0:52:56 – 1:15:04 | Reality TV recap (RHSLC, Rotten Tomato rabbit hole, Selling Sunset)
1:15:04 – 1:18:42 | Closing remarks + final thoughts on ChatGPT and working smarter not harder

Because apparently… we can’t even talk about pizza anymore. 🍕🔥

This week, Ava & Katie unpack the unpopular opinions that the internet loves to fight about — from pineapple on pizza to why people weaponize “professionalism” when women dare to have a personality.

We kick things off with weekend chaos: sleepwalking incidents, a run-in with what may or may not have been a drug house, and an emotionally charged internet debate about (you guessed it)… pizza toppings. Then we dive into the hot takes that could get us canceled — or make you feel wildly seen.

Whether you agree, disagree, or are just here for the chaos — we’re glad you're here!

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – 0:00:31 | Intro
0:00:31 – 0:39:35 | Weekend updates + unhinged stories (drug house, sleepwalking, pineapple-pizza discourse)
0:39:35 – 1:12:10 | Controversial opinions & corporate tone policing
1:12:10 – 1:20:29 | Reality TV recap + closing thoughts

Why trend fatigue is the new burnout - and how to stop letting the algorithm tell you who you are.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted trying to keep up with “the latest aesthetic,” or if you’ve changed your entire personality because TikTok told you to… this one’s for you.

In this episode, we dive into the chaos of microtrends (looking at you, “67 trend”) and talk honestly about the pressure to constantly evolve, rebrand, optimize, and become a new version of yourself every Monday at 9 a.m.

We unpack:

• Why trends that were once fun now feel like homework
• How the internet convinces us to find identity through aesthetics
• What it looks like when trend culture starts invading our careers and friendships
• How to opt out and rediscover who you actually are — offline

It’s funny, vulnerable, and just a tiny bit - or maybe a lot - unhinged (in the best way).

Episode Breakdown

0:00 – 0:00:31 — Intro

0:00:31 – 0:36:17 — Weekend Recap & Embarrassing Stories
Unfiltered Ava + Katie energy: spirals, oversharing, and the kind of shenanigans you can’t put on LinkedIn.

0:36:17 – 0:52:36 — Katie Finally Lets Something Out (Business Rivalry?)
The rant. The release. The drama that absolutely does not need to exist.

0:52:36 – 1:13:50 — Main Topic: Trend Fatigue & The Over-Aestheticized Internet
Why we’re tired of being told who to be.
How to unsubscribe from microtrend culture.
Reclaiming your identity from the algorithm.

1:13:50 – 1:26:00 — Reality TV Recap + Closing Thoughts
Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and DWTS week 7 recap. Closing thoughts on trend fatigue.

 Weekend chaos, dramatic emails, and a collective energy crisis — welcome back to another episode of Work Wives and Real Lives, where we catch up, spiral a little, and unpack why burnout keeps finding us no matter how many “self-care Sundays” we schedule. 

This week we’re talking burnout — the contagious kind that spreads faster than a group text meltdown. From inbox insanity and unrealistic expectations to the myth of balance, we’re breaking down how burnout shows up, what it really looks like, and how to finally stop glorifying “busy.” 

Get ready for a dramatic email reading (yes, chargeback culture is a thing), some painfully relatable burnout stories, and the ultimate reality TV tie-in — because if Housewives can build empires and nap, so can we. 

Timestamps 

0:00:00 – 0:00:31 → Intro
 0:00:31 – 0:11:00 → Weekend Catch-Up & Girl Chat
 0:11:00 – 0:42:00 → Weekend Tangents & Life Chaos
 0:42:00 – 0:53:18 → Dramatic Email Reading: Chargeback Culture & Inbox Burnout
 0:53:18 – 1:27:23 → The Sisterhood of the Traveling Burnout: Stories, Signs & Survival
 1:27:13 – 1:38:14 → Reality TV Recap + Closing Thoughts