In this episode of Bubbly & Blazers, Shayla McLean and Ainsley unpack a topic we all trip over more than we’d like to admit: assumptions.

From assuming meeting times (AM vs PM 🙃), to misreading friendships, workplace dynamics, and dating “situationships,” this conversation explores how assumptions quietly derail our time, energy, confidence, and communication. What starts as a funny gym mishap turns into a deeper discussion about why ambitious women often avoid asking clarifying questions — and how that hesitation shows up in business, relationships, and self-worth.

You’ll hear real stories, honest reflections, and practical takeaways on:

• Why assumptions feel easier than asking questions

• How busyness and ambition can amplify miscommunication

• The role self-confidence plays in clear communication

• Why asking questions actually makes you more professional

• Simple habits to slow down, clarify expectations, and stay aligned

If you’ve ever thought “I didn’t want to bother them” or “I should already know this” — this episode is your gentle (and funny) reminder to pause, clarify, and communicate.

Pour yourself a bubbly, take a breath, and press play.

Welcome back to Bubbly & Blazers — the podcast for ambitious women navigating work, life, wellness, friendships, and everything in between. In this New Year follow-through episode, Ainsley Kaesmodel and Shayla McLean check in on how 2026 is actually going now that January is nearly over (and somehow feels like it’s been 8 weeks long).

We talk realistic goal setting, staying motivated when life throws curveballs (sickness, chaos, low-energy winter days), and why mindset matters more than perfection. Shayla shares her 2026 words of the year — focus, aligned, discipline — plus her sticky-note calendar planning system that keeps goals and fun plans from falling off the radar. Ainsley opens up about rebuilding confidence, resetting after a messy start, and shifting your mentality when you feel behind.

Expect cozy winter vibes, a little accountability, a lot of laughter, and practical reminders that you don’t need a “perfect” January to have a great year.

In this episode, we cover:

• New Year intentions vs. real life (when January derails you)

• How to reset after getting sick or losing momentum

• Mindset shifts, self-confidence, and “the why” behind your goals

• Accountability tips that don’t involve hustle culture

• Planning joy in winter: skiing, friend hangs, and staying social

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Tell us: how is your 2026 starting - strong momentum or “January fog”?

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:

• ​Cassie’s Pilates beginnings in Australia and the spark behind Sunny Space
• ​How she blended Pilates + strength training to create a unique offering
• ​What the first year of entrepreneurship really looks like
• ​Why hiring is hard and how to build the right team
• ​Balancing personal wellness with business responsibilities
• ​Using competition as motivation rather than a threat
• ​The power of community and collaboration in business
• ​Cassie’s vision for the future of Sunny Space
• ​Her top lessons for new entrepreneurs

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.