A Beautiful Mess Podcast

#302: Top 3 Places We've Visited 01.06.2026 41min

This week we're sharing the top places we've visited as well as places we thing might be overrated and a listeners hot take on faux plants. Thank you to this week's sponsor: You can try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess Elsie's Best Places: Paris New Orleans Venice/Florence Emma's Best Places: Norway Iceland Switzerland Elsie's Overrated Places: Nashville LA Emma's Overrated Places: Mexico Elsie's best trip before kids: Palm Springs Emma's best trip before kids: LA Elsie's best trip with kids: Disney Emma's best trip with kids: Costa Rico You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#301: Comfort Objects 25.05.2026 32min

This week we're discussing comfort objects- little things that bring inordinate comfort into our lives. We're also sharing our cozy rituals and ideal way to spend a day. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Go to Biologica.com/MESS and get up to 32% off your first subscription order today! Use code MESS to get up to 57% Off at Firstday.com Elsie's comfort objects: Hoodies and quilts A blank journal Books / Library ladder Emma's comfort objects: Cardigans Bedside books Couch blanket You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#300: Summer Bucket List 18.05.2026 40min

This week we're sharing what's on our Summer bucket list and discussing a hot take about shoe-free rules in homes. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Get 15% off at Masterclass.com/ABEAUTIFULMESS Go to Dupe.com to finally feel confident about what to buy Elsie's Summer Bucket List: Family vacation to New England Summer Reading Goals Teaching kids basic skills Establish a family movie night Draft a new novel Emma's Summer Bucket List: On Sabbatical Family night in Branson Make a digit collage project Take a trip with her husband Clean out kids' toys and books You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#299: Yesteryear & What Kind of Genius are You? 11.05.2026 1t

This week we're discussing Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and taking a quiz on what kind of genius we are. We'll also chat about a listener hot take on whether or not kids should be taught euphanisms. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/abm Get 10% off + free shipping at Tumbleliving.com/mess The 6 Types of Genius: Wonder Discernment Invention Enablement Galvanizing Tenacity Feel Something, Make Something by Caitlyn Metz Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#298: The Five Minute Practice that Changed my Life (with guest Katie Day) 04.05.2026 55min

This week we are joined by our bestie Katie Day who is here to share the five minute practice that changed her life. We'll also discuss a hot take about white tennis shoes. Thank you to this week's sponsor: DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess Katie's 5 minute practice: Get water 3 things you are grateful for First person goal Connect with Katie: https://www.instagram.com/ohkatieday/ https://ohkatieday.com/ Go to https://ohkatieday.com/habitlab to join the Habit Lab with discount code MESS Shailey & Katie's Lemonade Stand Podcast You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#297: What it's really like working with family 27.04.2026 49min

This week we're getting honest about what it's really like working with family. We've been working together since our early 20s and people always ask how we do it so today we're spilling the tea. We're also discussing what we're reading and a hot take about long vs short books. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Use code [MESS] to get up to 57% Off at Firstday.com Biggest Pro: Time spent together Biggest con: More risk to the relationship Book Report: Elsie: Lincoln in The Bardo by George Saunders Emma: Lights Out By Navessa Allen You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#296: Books That Changed How We See the World 20.04.2026 51min

This week we're talking about the books that genuinely shifted how we see the world — not just 5 star reads, but the ones that rewired our thinking and books we still find ourselves talking about years later. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Make sure to go to Biologica.com/MESS and get up to 32% off your first subscription order today! Just use code [MESS] for 15% off the Premium Starter Kit at BranchBasics.com. Elsie's books: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton Station Eleven by Emily Sr. John Mandel Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro Emma's books: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Nonfiction Bonus: Elsie: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg Emma: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Book Report: Elsie: The Astral Library by Kate Quinn Emma: One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#295: Millennial Time Capsule 13.04.2026 53min

This week we're entering a world in which there are no iPhones, no internet, no apps, no online shopping, no social media no steaming and no smart tech of any kind. Yes: We're traveling to a land where you get advice from magazines, information from encylopedias and to speak to someone you must pick up the phone and dial numbers. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/abm Things we miss: magazines (specifically at Borders bookstore) malls in the 1900s AOL chat maps phone books phone calls on land lines listening to an album start to finish on the day it came out scheduling your entire life around your favorite tv show no one being about to reach you Toys R Us (is an amazon childhood) computer lab GUILTY PLEASURE TREASURE Elsie: Traitors Emma: Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#294: Developing Your Signature Style 06.04.2026 38min

This week we're talking about how to develop your creative palette and style without being derivative. This is a subject that applies across different creative practices from art to writing and even how you dress or decorate your home. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess Steal like an Artist by Austin Kleon Steps to develop your creative palette: Step one: Develop your taste (Be a fan! Appreciate art!) Step two: MAKE DERIVITIVE WORK (keep doing so until your own style emerges) Step three: Keep developing, keep growing, keep making (to infinity & beyond) BOOK REPORT State of Wonder by Ann Patchett You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#293: Vision Board and 5 Year Plan 30.03.2026 43min

In this week's episode we're diving into how to make vision boards and 5 year plans. If you're in the mood to think about your goals and dreams, you're in the right place. We're also answering some listener questions and engaging in a Hot Take Debate about whether romantic comedies are actually the worst. How to make a vision board: Create different categories for your goals (family, work, fitness, etc) Write in present tense Get pictures from the internet or magazines "We overestimate what we can do in a day, but we underestimate what we can do in a year." Check out Remit Sethi's books: I Will Teach you to be Rich Money for Couples You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#292: Spring Bucket List 23.03.2026 42min

In this week's episode we're sharing our Spring Bucket List since it's officially the first week of Spring. It's still pretty cold where we live, so a lot of this is wishful thinking, but it's fun to plan things to look forward to. We're also sharing an extra hot Hot Take Debate about kids and iPads. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/abm Head to Wayfair dot com right now to shop all things home. Elsie: Get new hair & general glow up for the joy of it Read all the Brontë novels Start buying fresh flowers & practicing making little arrangements Paint all the time Finish our Mouse Mansion! Emma: Easter baskets Decorate entry way Refresh fairy garden Start walking outside again Wallpaper the kitchen You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#291: Work from Home Stories 16.03.2026 59min

In this week's episode we're talking about the highs and lows working from home and how we balance our career dreams with raising young children. We've got several great listener questions to cover and we'll share an extra hot Hot Take Debate. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Go to brooklynbedding.com and use my promo code MESS at checkout to get 30% off sitewide Just use code [MESS] for 15% off the Premium Starter Kit at BranchBasics.com Our home work spaces: Elsie - Uses her sunroom as her art studio and moves around to different spaces in her house with her laptop Emma - Extra bedroom is office, sometimes works from coffee shop or library Pros and cons of working from home: Pros - Good way to keep life balanced Cons - Lots of distractions How you deal with distractions: Set timer to get tasks done Time boxing Use a reward system Book Reports: Elsie: The Prestige by Christopher Priest Emma: Twisted Love by Anna Huang HOT TAKE DEBATE Anne: Here's my hot take: we don't need any more movies based on books. They're different mediums! Let books be books and movies be movies. I want to see more movies that were written to be MOVIES and tailored to that medium, written to take advantage of all the cool things you can do onscreen. Same for books: I want more authors to take advantage of the cool things you can do in a book that you CAN'T do onscreen. I've read books that felt like they secretly wanted to be screenplays. Play to the strengths of your medium! No more crossing the streams! A Joke & A fact with Nova. You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#290: Life Changing Mindset Shifts 09.03.2026 38min

This week, we're talking about mindset shifts that changed our lives. Sometimes, before your life can change, your perspective has to change first. We're also doing a rapid fire hot take debate with a bunch of listener submitted hot takes. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/abm Mindset Shifts: What's the best that could happen? Why not me? Cheer for yourself like you would others Practice being an optimist We overestimate what we can get done in a day but we underestimate what we can get done in a year Learn to see patterns, possibilities and opportunities You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#289: How To Start Over When You Fail 02.03.2026 48min

This week we're talking about the inevitable experience of failure and how to hone the skill of starting over. Setbacks can be crushing, but they only turn permanent if you quit. In this episode, we're sharing our own vulnerable failure stories and the things that have helped us to get back on our feet. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess Mindset shifts: Sometimes you have to quit no one owes you anything BOOK REPORT Emma: Uprooted By Naomi Novik Elsie: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#288: Winter Comforts We Rely On (a snowed-in episode) 23.02.2026 38min

This week we're sharing winter comforts that reliably get us through our least favorite season of the year. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/abm Head to Talkiatry.com/mess and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in network psychiatrist in just a few minutes Winter Comforts: Elsie: Books in bed! Emma: Snow Suit Elsie: Hot water - tea, coffee, apple cider, hot toddies, hot tubs, and bathes Emma: Daydream, redecorate, and organize your house Elsie: Go out with friends. (get out of the house!!) Emma: Game of fire, cozy life Guilty Pleasure Treasure: Elsie: Christopher Nolan movies Emma: Turkish Delights and Vanilla powder from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Book Report: Elsie: The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maas Emma: The Ministry of Time You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#287: Comfort Rewatch - Empire Records 16.02.2026 32min

This week, we're watching the 1995 classic Empire Records. We're also doing a hot take debate about technological advances, and we're bringing back our segment guilty pleasure treasure. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Go to brooklynbedding.com and use promo code MESS at checkout to get 30% off sitewide Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Guilty Pleasure Teasure: Elsie - American Funyuns Emma - American Oreos You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#286: Core Values 09.02.2026 40min

This week we are discussing core values. We'll share our results from the Values Bridge quiz, as well as our thoughts on how defining core values can improve your life. And in our hot take debate, we're discussing separating art from the artist and rounding it out with whether or not we refrigerate our butter. All the important things that you need to know. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/abm https://thevaluesbridge.com/ You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#285: Midlife Crisis But Make it Fun 02.02.2026 53min

In honor of Emma's 40th birthday, this week we're doing an official midlife crisis episode. Our experiences didn't go exactly like the movies, and we have a lot to discuss. It's going to be fun! Thank you to this week's sponsor: Try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess Head to Talkiatry.com/mess and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in network psychiatrist in just a few minutes. Guilty Pleasure Treasure: Emma: Cinnamon dragons Elsie: Watch a period piece while on period You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#284: Tips for New Writers 26.01.2026 54min

We get a lot of questions from people starting on their very first novel. So in this week's episode, we're giving you all the advice that we wish we could time travel back and give ourselves on the day we started our first novels. There's so much writing advice out there, and no matter who you are, it's not all going to work for you. So in this episode, we'll share things to think about and consider as you plot and plan to begin a draft of your very first novel. And the bottom line is, you can do it, and we are here to cheer you on. Thank you to this week's sponsor: You can try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/abm Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home Tips for new writers: Give yourself a writing assignment Just write your first novel Immerse don't tell Read Get really comfort drafting unpolished Be a joyful student Invest a lot of time in ideation Learn about the business of publishing Your writing routine matters Resources: Show Don't Tell by Sandra Greth Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass Write your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell The Author's Publishing Playbook by Carly Watters https://www.laurenkaywrites.com/ You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

#283: Learning Something New 19.01.2026 42min

This week we're discussing big and small things we want to learn. This episode is a great space for brainstorming. If you've been thinking that you'd like to pick up a new hobby. We're each discussing five big and small things that we'd like to learn in the near future. And we're also doing a hot take debate on the topic of plastic treat bags at children's birthday parties. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Start saving money with Dupe.com today Go to brooklynbedding.com and use my promo code MESS at checkout to get 30% off sitewide 5 Things we want to learn Emma: Learn Spanish Play piano Learn to write microfiction Cooking and recipes Painting Elsie: Water Marbling Writing poetry Classical painting lessons Make 3 Ina Garten recipes Book binding Book Report: Emma - The Cottage Around the Corner by D. L. Soria Elsie - The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.