As 2025 comes to a close, we’re popping the bubbly and pressing pause before charging into the next chapter. In this reflective and feel-good episode of Bubbly & Blazers, Ainsley and Shayla look back on the year that shaped them, the wins that deserve celebrating, the lessons that stretched them, and the habits they’re intentionally leaving behind.
From navigating career growth and building a business, to dating realities, friendships, health goals, and learning to slow down, this episode is all about reflection over perfection. Instead of rigid resolutions, we’re talking intentions for 2026: choosing focus, structure, and alignment while leaving room for change.
We dive into:
Honest reflections on what 2025 taught us
What we’re “pouring out” and letting go of next year
What we’re celebrating (big and small wins)
How we’re doing things differently in 2026
Why intentions feel more aligned than resolutions
Our one-word themes for the year ahead
If you’re an ambitious woman navigating career, relationships, personal growth, and the pressure to have it all figured out — this episode is your reminder that growth can be gentle, progress can be quiet, and you’re allowed to move at your own pace.
So pour yourself a drink, get cozy, and join us in toasting to who we were, who we’re becoming, and what we’re calling in next.
Keywords: year in review, 2025 reflections, 2026 intentions, goal setting for women, career growth, personal development podcast, intentions vs resolutions, women in business, self growth, lifestyle podcast
The holidays are here: the twinkle lights are on, calendars are full, and ambitious women everywhere are trying to do all the things… without burning out.
In this festive episode of Bubbly & Blazers, we’re sharing your ultimate Christmas survival guide for ambitious women who want to enjoy the season and protect their energy. Think less overwhelm, more joy, without letting go of your goals, routines, or sense of self.
We talk about why high-achieving women often feel extra pressure during the holidays, how to set loving boundaries with work, family, and social plans, and what Christmas self-care really looks like when life is busy. From navigating festive burnout and financial expectations to creating meaningful holiday rituals that actually fill your cup, this episode is all about choosing intention over perfection.
Whether you’re juggling year-end deadlines, family gatherings, or the emotional weight of the season, this episode will help you slow down, reset, and step into a holiday season that feels warm, calm, and aligned.
In this episode, we cover:
A joyful Christmas survival guide for ambitious women
How to avoid holiday burnout while staying aligned with your goals
Setting healthy boundaries during the festive season
Realistic Christmas self-care for busy, high-achieving women
Creating balance, joy, and ease during the holidays
Pour a glass of bubbly, slip into something cozy (or your favourite blazer), and join us for a cheerful, grounding conversation designed to help you actually enjoy Christmas.
In this episode of Bubbly and Blazers, Shayla and Ainsley sit down with Cassie (the powerhouse entrepreneur behind Sunny Space) to unpack her inspiring business journey from a tiny garage Pilates studio to a thriving wellness brand.
Cassie shares the real, unfiltered side of entrepreneurship: hiring struggles, competition in the fitness industry, building a loyal community, and navigating personal growth while running a business. She opens up about her pivot into Pilates during COVID, the role aesthetics and experience play in attracting clients, and why collaboration has been a cornerstone of her success.
Whether you're an aspiring founder, a wellness lover, or someone navigating your own start-up dreams, this conversation is filled with practical business advice, fitness insights, and the mindset shifts needed to build something meaningful.
What we cover:
If you’re into entrepreneurship, fitness, wellness, or building a purpose-driven community, this episode is for you.
Tune in, sip something bubbly, and get inspired.
Keywords: business journey, entrepreneurship, Pilates, fitness, community, hiring, competition, personal growth, business advice, wellness.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, unqualified, or unsure of your next career move, this episode is for you. Shayla opens up about the moment she realized she was standing in her own way and shares the framework that helped her transform doubt into direction, and barriers into strategy.
In this solo episode of Bubbly & Blazers, you’ll learn how to:
- Build a simple action plan for your personal and professional growth- Reframe common barriers like confidence, credentials, clarity, and connections- Take small, powerful steps toward your goals-Find the right tools, resources, and community support- Move forward even when you feel overwhelmed or “not ready yet”
Whether you’re navigating a career change, aiming for a promotion, rebuilding your confidence, or stepping into a new chapter, this episode will help you get clear, get intentional, and get moving.
We cover:
How to shift out of self-doubt and into self-belief
The “barriers to strategy” method that changes everything
What to do when you don’t feel qualified
How to take action (even if you only have 10 minutes a day)
Why you don’t need to do this journey alone
The mindset every ambitious woman needs in her 20s and 30s
Perfect for women in business, early-career professionals, students, and anyone craving clarity and confidence in their next step.
If you found this helpful, share it with a friend who needs a little push toward her big goals.
Follow the show for weekly episodes on confidence, career strategy, personal growth, and modern womanhood.
Welcome to your Bucket List Era, where your dream trips, career goals, and friendship memories all deserve the same energy, intention, and excitement.In this episode of Bubbly & Blazers, Ainsley and Shayla dive into how planning a girls trip can teach us everything we need to know about planning our dream careers and designing meaningful friendships.
This conversation blends travel inspo, career reflection, and heart-centered friendship moments, perfect for ambitious women building a life they love.
What We Explore in This Episode:
Travel Bucket List
• The dream trips on your bucket list
• How travel shapes your identity and confidence
• Who you are on a girls trip: planner, foodie, vibes-only, itinerary queen
• Travel experiences that shifted your perspective
Career Bucket List
• Promotions, pivots, raises, dream roles & dream projects
• Where you are in your career journey
• The big goals you’re scared to say out loudFriendship Bucket List
• Trips you want to take with your friends
• Traditions you want to start: girls trips, brunches, vision-board nights
• Friends who bring out your adventure side vs your cozy-homebody side
Your bucket list isn’t just a list of places, it’s a blueprint for the life you’re designing.It reflects the woman you want to become, the career you want to grow into, and the friendships that shape your journey.
Whether you’re craving travel inspiration, career motivation, or a fresh way to think about your friendships, this episode is your sign to start planning your next adventure.
In this episode of Bubbly and Blazers, Ainsley and Shayla dive into the real talk behind adult friendships: how they change, why they matter, and what it takes to keep them healthy in the middle of busy, modern lives. From friendship guilt and social media comparison to making new friends in adulthood, this candid conversation explores the emotional ups and downs of staying connected while growing as individuals.
They open up about friendship breakups, setting boundaries, and the art of being intentional, even when life feels full. Whether you’re juggling a demanding career, personal growth, or just trying to text your bestie back, this episode will remind you that friendships evolve, and that’s okay.
Listen in for:
Why it’s normal for friendships to shift in your 20s and 30s
How social media influences your perception of closeness
The role of grace and communication in maintaining connections
Tips for making new friends as an adult
What it means to “pour it out” or “pop the bubbly” with your circle
“Good friendships grow with you.”
If you’ve ever felt friendship guilt, struggled with changing relationship dynamics, or wondered how to stay close when life gets busy, this episode is for you.
Tune in to Bubbly and Blazers for relatable stories, emotional insights, and practical takeaways on navigating adult friendships with intention, empathy, and confidence.
Midterms, caffeine, and controlled chaos, welcome to Ainsley’s student life survival guide.
In this solo episode of Bubbly & Blazers, Ainsley takes you along for a Day in the Life: Midterms Edition. From struggling out of bed before sunrise (relatable), to discovering new favourite coffee syrups, tackling intense business plans, conquering barbell deadlifts, and squeezing in some much-needed cozy TV time, it’s a full day!
Tune in for:
College morning routine (coffee recs + sugar-free syrup shoutout!)
Midterm study tips + business school life
Gym motivation - becoming a barbell girlie
Healthy habits for busy students
Halloweekend excitement
Cat content (very important)
If you’re a university student, love college lifestyle podcasts, or just need motivation to get through exams, this episode will give you relatable laughs + helpful routines to stay balanced during the semester.
Grab your bubbly, pop in those headphones, and enjoy this fun midterm survival guide!
Follow for more episodes on student life, wellness, productivity, and personal growth.
In this episode of Bubbly and Blazers, hosts Shayla McLean and Ainsley Kaesmodel kick off the Bubbly Book Club, a new series where ambition meets reflection, and reading meets real life.
They share what’s currently on their nightstands, from Shania Twain’s biography to business and leadership reads, and dive into the lessons, quotes, and “aha” moments that are shaping their growth this season.
Together, they explore how reading fuels personal growth, self-improvement, and business insight, whether it’s through classic literature, audiobooks on the go, or the wisdom tucked inside a memoir.
Key Takeaways:
Reading reflects your current needs and interests.
Knowledge means little without application, growth happens through action.
Books can be mentors, offering perspective and guidance.
Curiosity (not comparison) should guide your reading list.
It’s never too late to explore classics or find joy in new favourites.
Join Shayla and Ainsley for this cozy, candid conversation that celebrates curiosity, learning, and the power of stories to shape who we are, both in and out of the boardroom.
As the air turns crisp and routines start to settle, Shayla and Ainsley dive into the idea of a fall reset—that sweet spot between ambition and ease. In this episode of Bubbly & Blazers, they reflect on the shift from summer spontaneity to fall structure, exploring how to realign goals, refresh routines, and create balance as the year winds down. From meal prep and gym schedules to mindset shifts and seasonal bucket lists, this conversation is all about finding joy in planning, reflecting, and resetting with intention.
🍂 Tune in to feel grounded, inspired, and ready to make small shifts that spark big momentum.
Keywords: fall, reset, routines, goals, ambition, balance, seasonal change, self-care, planning, reflection
Grab your glass, girlies - it’s time to play Pop the Bubbly or Pour It Out!
In this episode, we’re mixing things up with a fun (and maybe a little controversial) game. We’re diving into real-life scenarios around work, money, dating, friendships, and everything in between. The rules are simple: if we’re all in, we pop the bubbly; if it’s a no from us, we pour it out.
From quitting a job without a backup plan, to calling out a flaky friend, to dating someone who ghosted you once before, we’re keeping it real, debating our choices, and probably exposing ourselves just a little.
Whether you’re listening on your morning commute or during your next wine night, this episode will have you nodding along, laughing, and maybe even questioning what you’d pop or pour.
Waiting until you feel “ready” to launch your business or go after that next big opportunity at work? Here’s the truth: readiness is a myth.
In this solo episode, Shayla breaks down how to build your business while still employed using your 9–5 as your investor, carving out consistent time, and starting with small experiments. But she also dives into scaling inside your workplace, how to pitch ideas, apply for promotions, and step into leadership roles before you feel fully qualified.
If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect moment,” this is your sign to start. Clarity doesn’t come before you begin, it comes because you begin.
Transitions are the messy middle we don’t always talk about those in-between seasons where one chapter is closing and another is just beginning. In this solo episode, Shayla gets real about navigating change with confidence, grace, and a little bit of bubbly energy.
From career pivots to lifestyle shifts, she shares why transitions feel hard (but necessary), the reflective questions you need to ask yourself right now, and simple tools to help you stay grounded while everything else is moving.
Plus, stick around for the Bubbly Breakdown, a sparkling recap of key takeaways to carry with you into your own next chapter.
Whether you’re starting something new, letting go of what no longer fits, or just hanging out in the messy middle, this episode is your reminder that you’re doing better than you think.
Ever wondered what a real week looks like for a 20-something-year-old balancing business goals, cooking adventures, and daily rituals? In this solo-style episode, Ainsley takes you through her unfiltered week, sharing the highs, the hustle, and the little routines that are keeping her summer fun. From strategic work wins to spontaneous girl dinners, it's a mix of structure and serendipity. Tune in for laughs, real talk, and a peek behind the scenes of living life in blazers... and maybe a little bubbly too.
It’s officially mid-summer, and in this laid-back check-in, and we are hitting pause to reflect, reset, and recharge. From shifting routines and evolving goals to the real talk about burnout and balance, this episode is your permission slip to slow down and reassess. Whether you’re thriving, surviving, or somewhere in between, tune in for a warm, honest conversation about where we’re at and what we’re learning both in business and in life. Grab a cold drink, sit somewhere sunny, and join us for a mid-season vibe check that’s as refreshing as it is real.
In this solo episode, Shayla is talking all things Promotions, Paychecks & Power Moves and how to own your value in work and business. Whether you're asking for a raise, pitching your services, or simply learning to speak confidently about what you bring to the table, this episode is packed with mindset shifts, practical scripts, and tips to help you advocate for yourself without the cringe. Because knowing your worth is powerful, talking about it should be too.
In this episode of Bubbly and Blazers, we’re joined by certified pedorthist and business owner Kaleigh Hole, founder of Sole to Summit Orthotics. Kaleigh shares her journey of launching and growing a healthcare business as a young woman, how she stays grounded (literally and figuratively), and what she’s learned about leadership, hustle, and owning her space in the business world.
Oh—and we play a little “Pop the Bubbly or Pour It Out?” with some hot takes on work-life balance, business boundaries, and yes, working on vacation.
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your expertise into a thriving business, this episode is your sign to go for it. Blazers on and bubbly in hand—let’s get into it!
In this episode of Bubbly and Blazers we are asking: how do we balance our ambitious girl era with our girl summer dreams?
Let’s be real, summer hits different. The sun’s out, the invites are rolling in, and suddenly your inbox and your group chat are both poppin’. Whether you’re craving a slow season or still building your empire, we’re here to help you find a summer rhythm that doesn’t leave you burnt out by August. So grab your iced bubbly, lather on the SPF, and let’s get into it.
In this fun and unfiltered episode, we’re catching you up on all the things - from what’s been going on behind the scenes in life and business to what we’re dreaming up for a summer full of sunshine, soft launches, and business girly opportunities. Pour a glass and join us as we spill the tea, set our intentions, and chat about how we’re balancing business moves with beach days.
In this episode, we’re talking about breaking into leadership as a young professional, a topic close to our hearts and probably yours too. Whether you're fresh out of school, early in your career, or finding your voice in the boardroom, stepping into leadership can feel exciting... and a little intimidating.
We’re diving into:
How to lead with confidence (even when you're the youngest in the room)
What leadership actually looks like
And how to own your seat at the table, before someone offers it to you
You already have what it takes -we’re just here to help you own it. So grab your bubbly and let’s get into it.
In this episode, we’re diving into something so real, so chaotic, and so necessary: navigating your twenties when you have no idea what you’re doing. Let’s be honest, your twenties are marketed as the time to “figure it all out,” but in reality, it’s a lot of trial and error, late-night spirals, identity crises, and growth in unexpected places. In this episode, we’ll talk about: the pressure to have your life together, the myth of the “perfect timeline”, career confusion, relationship drama, and everything in between. So whether you're thriving, surviving, or crying on your kitchen floor with a glass of wine—this one’s for you. Let’s get into it.