Cayce is leveling up in motherhood, Ashley has a breakup announcement, and we are FEISTY today! You can be very certain that AI was not used in the creation of this episode or any other, but: what is the multiple of "platypus"?

We promise this is not turning into an article-reaction podcast, but we have another article this week, and please buckle up. We're responding to the viral Fast Company article, "Corporate America is Crushing Senior-Level Mothers," which is pretty much a direct slap in the face to last week's hopeful Wall Street Journal piece. Is the solution truly to burn it all down, or did we just girl boss too close to the sun?

Cayce has a PSA regarding meal prepping, Ashley is back to being sweary, and spoiler alert: we do say the word "nipple" in this episode. You've been warned! But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and we have a new shero: Shamim Noorani Gillani, SVP of growth and client success at Carrum Health. Shamim, we don't know you, but we are claiming you as a Messy Bestie.

Then, we play a little game of "this or that," and can we all collectively agree that toilet paper goes over, not under?! (That one is for you, Ashley's mom. You are so perfect in so many ways, but you seriously need to get your toilet paper in order.)

It's real and it's funny, and sometimes it's real funny. But also, it's no joke! Rate, review, comment, and follow along as we bring The Normal Mess to the masses! We'd love to hear from you:

Instagram & TikTok: @thenormalmess

Email: thenormalmess@gmail.com

Cayce has a PSA to whomever is putting dance moms through the ringer: IT'S HARD ENOUGH OUT HERE. WHY ARE WE PUTTING MASCARA ON THREE-YEAR-OLDS?! Then: who would play Ashley and Cayce in a movie, and can we discuss how celebrity faces are basically model homes these days?

Hold onto your hats, Messy Besties: for the first time in TNM history, Ashley is completely and utterly unprepared for this episode! And, weirdly, we planned it that way? Cayce is taking us all on a guided tour through the viral Wall Street Journal article, "Surprising Lessons from Talking with America's Highest- Earning Women," and we have THOUGHTS. Ashley gets the chills, this article is validating, and why can't we all just get along (with our impostor syndrome)?!

Finally, we have new Zero Friends. And, unsurprisingly, these Zero Friends all have to do with travel. Poll question: are hotel rooms close to the elevator bank more dangerous, or are they actually safer because criminals don't like witnesses?! Also, shoutout to the Starbucks at Gate B32: you're the real MVP.

It's real, and it's funny, and sometimes it's real funny. But also, it's real funny! Rate, review, comment, and follow along as we bring The Normal Mess to the masses! We'd love to hear from you:

Instagram & TikTok: @thenormalmess

Email: thenormalmess@gmail.com

**Warning: This episode contains brief references to intimate partner emotional violence. Those references are toward the end of the episode. If you or someone you love is experiencing intimate partner violence (emotional, physical, or both), there are resources available to help. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at: 1.800.799.SAFE (7233), or can be reached by texting “START” to 88788.**

Ashley and Cayce are both notoriously slow to a trend, except for Ashley when it comes to music, who wants the record to permanently reflect that Spotify told her last year her listening age is 21. We love Ted Lasso (though it is Cayce’s fault it took Ashley this long to get on board), Jane Austen is forever in style, and where do you stand on the orange juice to champagne ratio in a mimosa?! Hint: soccer is to orange as lovable characters is to champagne.

Then, we get spicy about a topic that is, as we have learned, controversial: we think you should bring the whole of who you are to work (within reason, and with clothes on, please). There, we said it! Don’t “at” us, journalists who keep insisting we are wrong. Nothing ever changes if nothing ever changes, and we think your whole self deserves a seat at the table. Ashley rants about “executive presence,” Cayce delivers actionable tips, and we talk about paper dolls.

We end with The Normal Mess IRL, plus a glimmer. Ashley is annoyed by the humans whose first day of earth alwaysseems to happen in airports, and Cayce’s dog needs to cool it on the fertilizer. But: God bless girlfriends and flowers, amiright?!

It’s real and it’s funny, and sometimes it’s real funny. But also, it’s no joke! Rate, review, comment, and follow us as we bring The Normal Mess to the masses! We’d love to hear from you:

Instagram & TikTok:@thenormalmess

Email: thenormalmess@gmail.com