Everyone wants a “soft life” — but no one talks about the hard choices it actually requires.

In this episode, we unpack what the soft life really means (and what it doesn’t). From career pivots and uncomfortable boundaries to letting go of hustle culture and redefining success, we’re getting honest about the decisions that don’t make it to social media — but change everything behind the scenes.

Choosing ease isn’t passive. It’s strategic.
And sometimes, doing less is the bravest move you can make.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for wanting rest, peace, or alignment without losing your ambition — this episode is for you.

✨ Ease doesn’t mean you stop growing — it means you stop bleeding for growth.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

0:00:00 – 0:00:31 | Intro
0:00:31 – 0:23:38 | Week recaps, life updates & iconic Uber driver moments
0:23:38 – 0:36:00 | Dramatic airline email reading
0:36:00 – 0:41:07 | Wild business stories: transients, break-ins & chaos
0:41:07 – 1:08:14 | Main Topic: Soft Life, Hard Decisions
1:08:14 – 1:35:40 | Reality TV recap: Real Housewives of SLC & BH + The Traitors (Episodes 1–3)
1:35:40 – 1:36:16 | Final thoughts & closing statements

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