Love You To The Core

Since moving to Barcelona with nothing but a few suitcases, we’ve been rebuilding our closets with clothes we feel REALLY excited about wearing, pouring more energy into developing our personal style so we can show up in the world in a way we’re proud of. For Xanthe, this helps her stay “camera ready” for content, and for Frank, it’s helped him transform his intellectual passion for menswear into a wardrobe that inspires him just as much. We share specific practices for what helped us find our style over the last few months, plus a full debrief on the Spanish Visa process (mission complete!), a flashback to where we were in 2016, some speculation about Harry Styles’ new album, and a discussion on why Trial Reels are getting so much hate right now.TODAY’S SPONSOR ↓ Kaileen Elise Sues is an intuition coach for woo-leaning high-achievers who want it all in 2026 — except burnout — and she’s hosting a Vision Boarding with Intuition workshop. In the workshop, you’ll craft a vision that *delights* your inner child, *celebrates* where you are now, and *aligns* with your future-self, AND you’ll learn new ways to tap into your inner wisdom on the daily.Here’s what you can expect: A 90-minute live class on January 29 at 1-2:30pm CST with replay.A visioning toolkit with a guided meditation, journal prompts, and templates to keep your visions flowing.It's regularly $88, but just $44 when you sign up now!!

We didn’t reach our revenue goals in 2025, but we’re feeling rich anyway ;). We’re kicking off our first episode of the year with a financial review of the past 12 months, sharing:The personal finance and budgeting process that allowed us to save more than everWhy we didn’t reach our revenue goals for 2025 and what we’re doing about it this yearOur savings strategies and how we’re modifying our investments this year(Lack of) progress on our debt, and why we’re not stressing about itPlus lots of the little money tools and tricks that we’ve loved this year!This episode is sponsored by Lemonade Co.’s Social Impact Comms Club! Lemonade Co. are offering 50% off the first 3 months of this brand-new community offer to the first 10 folks who sign up via this link: http://lemonadeco.ca/comms-club

It's a surprise bonus episode!! To cap off the year, we’re comparing our 2025 predictions to what actually came true, and forecasting content creation themes for the year ahead. We get into lotssss of practical recommendations on how to navigate the weather, including:how to create “messier” content this year while navigating the fine line between effortlessness and carelessnesswhat the new hyper-niche algorithms will mean about how you create, consume, and collaborate in the new yearwhy folks are leaning further into imperfect creativity, embracing a lack of symmetry as a signal of humanity in response to AIand PLENTY more.LINKS ↓social life (save up to $264/year ‘til January 6th!)last year’s predictions episodepinterest predicts 2026zoe’s 2025 articlethis British inclusivity initiative

Everyyyyybody’s talking about long-form content, becoming a cultural commentator, and ~having an opinion~ as an essential part of your online presence come 2026 — but there are some serious elephants in these rooms and we are CALLING ‘EM OUT TODAY. In this episode:+ A deep dive into the role of journalism in the internet age+ The problem with the “smart is the new influencer” movement+ Why we’re burning out on opinion-based content (and need “vibes” more than ever)+ What to consider before you pivot your content to long-form+ How to decide whether to hop on another platform (cough cough linkedin!)+ “Instagram is television” and what that means for your strategyIf you enjoy this ep, please leave us a review! TYSM!This episode is sponsored by Sobremesa Institute, the unconventional Spanish school. Explore the 2026 in-person language immersion here, and find all of their 2026 offerings here.

Ooooh we are SO back! In today’s episode we explain the decision to shift to a fortnightly format, analyze the “words of the year” (and choose some of our own), flaunt our terrifying lack of musical prowess, and celebrate two heroes of our time: Sabrina Carpenter and Franklin The Turtle. wait, what?Today’s episode is brought to you by Social Life, the social media support system that solves your content execution problem, keeps your creative spark alive, and meaningfully grows your business — without asking you to post more, perform harder, or please the [petty] algorithm. It’s launching at the lowest price + with a sweeeeet bonus December 10-16, so make sure you’re on it (here) to be notified when doors open.

In honour of gift guide and roundup season, the topic of TASTE is front of mind for all of us, whether we know it or not. In this episode, we unpack:• What means to “have taste” vs. “make taste”• How much of what we see/perceive as “taste” is actually just copying someone else’s• The difference between a curator and a creator• Taste and influence as adjacent (but not mutually exclusive)• Rejecting the “good taste/bad taste” binaryAnnnnnd then we explore:• Learning how to describe what you like• Taste as a product of self-knowledge• An argument against gatekeeping the good stuff• Why being mainstream isn’t tastelessOther topics include: finishing our Spanish visa journey, starting Spanish lessons, our owned media platform plans, the Charli XCX Substack discourse, and the infamous pink J.Crew sweater.This episode is brought to you by Liv Rollings, the marketing gal for creative entrepreneurs who think too much about marketing, but care too much to stop. On December 4th, Liv is running a free live workshop for creatives called But First, Marketing where you’ll do a live build of a marketing strategy that you can take into 2026 that feels creative and fun to execute, combines it with strategy and helps you to prioritize it above your client work. Visit @livrollings on Instagram to learn more or sign up here.

Are there ANY heroes when it comes to social media? Today’s episode is a deep dive into the immorality of the metasphere as they rake in billions from the “scammiest scammers” (their words), if it's possible to create ethical online spaces, what the future holds for how we all lead and scale our communities, and whether the return of Vine will be the saviour we’ve been waiting for. Spoiler alert: we’re gonna have to save ourselves. This episode is brought to you by the Harmonious Living Program — a four-month group experience for high-capacity women who are accomplished, driven, doing all the things , but want to feel more grounded and alive in the middle of it. Winter enrollment is open now, and our listeners receive $300 off until December 31, 2025. Learn more at ashleighchenry.com/group-coaching to move from overdrive and over-functioning to harmonious living.

This week, Xanthe is joined by somatic depth coach Antonia Dolhaine, in a conversation around identity, impact, and desire. Our discussion was RICHHHH with insight around topics like:• How to safely share personal information online as someone who works in support of others• Choosing a business model that scales depth, impact, and rest• Amplifying your values through your community without relying on social media• Being an eternal student and how to lead when you’re still in process• The emotions that can guide you toward uncovering your true desires• Looking at your work as a channel for your creative energy rather than a niche you’re stuck in• Our societal obsession with self-definition and why we’ve become so obsessed with titles• Detaching your identity from your leadership and learning who you are outside of itAntonia is a former Cirque du Soleil acrobat turned somatic depth coach for uncommonly curious, creative, and ambitious beings seeking to answer the question: “what’s next?”. She draws from extensive training and experience in somatics, depth psychology, and systems-oriented work to support her clients to reach their peaks by befriending their depths.CONNECT WITH ANTONIA:antoniadolhaine.comspaceunknown.substack.cominstagram.com/antoniadolhaine

TODAY, WE TREAT YOU TO:• The latest porn-inspired optimization trend: nutmaxxing• A disturbing pattern of woman-hating on the fall fashion runway• Why you probably don’t want to follow the “betrayal list” trend• The badass results of Gen Z’s global political activism• A promising cultural advancement for fans of the Irish Goodbye• Instagram’s latest updates to make it even harder to connect on their appThis episode is brought to you by The FIXR Series, a monthly workshop membership from Sam MacKinnon. Each 45-minute workshop tackles one specific friction point in your business — whether that’s scattered priorities, messy workflows, or systems that just don’t fit anymore. If you’re ready to stop patching holes and start running your business like it’s built to last, head to ⁠samanthamackinnon.com/fixr-series

IN THIS EPISODE ↓• A follow-up re: Taylor Swift and why the album may be growing on us but the intent behind it is not• The dangers of tying your income to your art and whether or not it’s possible to make money from things that matter to you• What Barcelona has taught us about collaborative vs. competitive business models• The “intimacy economy” and how folks are exploiting TMI-style content as an attempt at fake connection• Why banning social media for minors is an optimistic vote for the future• The concept of the “consideration span” and what it means for keeping attention on your long-form contentThis episode is brought to you by Constellations, Scorpio Season: a group experience for holistic support through potent energetics so you can own the transformation that’s in store for you — while tapping into to your intuition, and emboldening your hope in humanity. Visit http://hollismm.com/constellations to sign up today.

Well, Taylor Swift’s worst album just dropped and we are giving our fulllllll review. That's alongside some updates we’re making to our business (and the podcast!) this quarter, a truly brutal FMK surrounding french delicacies, and Xanthe’s passionate take on read receipts in relationships. ENJOY.

Finally, some optimism! Online dating is dying! Flex culture is just faking it! Butter yellow is still in style! We don’t have to move again for a long fucking time! Also, we ask a question at the end that we’d genuinely love to know: what are 3 things you can talk about for 3 hours with no prep? Send Xanthe a DM at @xanthe.appleyard once you have your answer!

Except, no we don’t! Today’s episode goes deep into:• The implications of government censorship in the U.S. as Jimmy Kimmel gets taken off air• Trump’s new TikTok project and what an insular MAGA-led social platform could mean• How to keep our private spaces safe from hateful viewpoints• Why it can be valuable to follow people who don’t share your politics• Impacting positive political change by taking your head out of the sand• We also share a little update around our move to Barcelona as we get setup and settled!LINKS:The NutshellSocial Life

This week's episode gets into ↓• Why Xanthe’s had a violent change of heart about re-entering TikTok• Another super creepy initiative from Meta’s AI department• How social media is informing the way books are written and promoted• “Performative intellectualism” and Taylor Swift’s role in it• The new Sabrina Carpenter album and its influence on the youth of today• Alo Yoga’s alarming foray into luxury handbags• The ghosts of the cottage trying to keep us from leavingAnnnnd, Social Life is launching to the waitlist right now and so you can save major money! Hop on it here.

Just a full-on LIFE UPDATE EPISODE detailing the BTS of securing our long-term lease in Barcelona, a status report on the cottage Airbnb launch, and everything we’re focusing on for the week before we officially relocate to Europe! ENJOYYYY.

XANTHE’S MOM IS ON THE PODCAST!!! We cover:• Her career journey from pregnant college student to CEO of a major healthcare organization• How she balanced being a present single parent, healing herself, and making ends meet• Living below the poverty line and resourcing community as “her village”• Our family dynamic of loving roasts, self-awareness, and intellectual intimacy• Her experience as an artist whose relationship to creativity has evolved over decades• Being the parent of an entrepreneur and how she really feels about all the risks we takeAnd so, so SO much more.Sue Phipps is the CEO of Hamilton’s Canadian Mental Health Association. You can learn more about their work here.

UMMM WTF — THIS IS OUR 50TH EPISODE!! We didn’t do anything special for it but you will be graced with a chat that goes in every possible direction which honestly feels like the BEST way to celebrate. We cover:• Frank’s birthday weekend recap! Ft. pregnancy smut fetishes• Being ~perceived~ in a tiny town and the rumours we’re hearing about… ourselves• How we’re managing coming up $75K short on our pre-move money goal• Being in our “no goals” era and letting our Spain chapter surprise us• How to find your way in a new city by following what feels good without expectation• The collective decline in BOOK READING (for which we blame TikTok, obviously)PS. The Social Life content creation membership is launching again this month! Make sure you’re on the waitlist here to get first dibs + lowest pricing!

The banter is on POINT this week if we do say so ourselves!! Including:• Money check-in one year since we did our “Spending Diet” and started actually budgeting!• DEEEEP analysis on the entire Taylor and Travis Internet-breaking situationPlus lots of life/cottage updates because there may not be much to do around here but let me tell you, WE ARE DOING THINGS.LOTP IS $800 OFF ‘TIL THURSDAY ↓Jump in right here.FRANK’S BDAY SALE ↓Get 38% off the Leisure Ethic template with code HBDFRANK this weekend only, starting Friday, August 22!Get it here.

TRUCK GIRL SUMMER IS NOT CANCELLED! On this week’s episode, we force you through a 20-minute tale recapping our obscene vehicular drama of the last several weeks. BUT THEN, we get to the realllll good stuff, like:• The sex recession and how current culture has shaped our intimacy habits• The dying art of hanging out (and why our social lives can feel like such a strain as adults)• Becoming the vibe you see for yourself and what it actually takes to “be aesthetic”We reference several links in this episode, including:How Social Media Is Fuelling Gen Z's Sex RecessionThe Dying Art Of Hanging OutHow To Become More Of The Vibe You See For YourselfAlso, LIFE OF THE PARTY IS $800 OFF!! Grab your spot here.

Three is not a crowd when it comes to running this business smoothly, and Sam is the glue holding Frank and I together 99.99% of the time (this interview, included). Today, we have the pleasure of sharing her strategic brilliance with the whole class, sharing a behind the scenes look at our own operations as well as the structures, mindsets, and even data (ew!), that have allowed us to run our business like a business, and catalyzed the success we’ve seen as a result. We cover:• The intersection of intuition and information, and why making business moves based on vibes alone could be holding you back from your bigger vision• Sam’s experience starting from scratch on Instagram and why she’s thriving with fewer followers• The real reason why most creatives are so data-avoidant, what it’s costing us, and how to move through it to face the facts that will get your further• The controversial “Charisma Factor” when it comes to finding success as an online leader• How to set milestones you’ll actually reach, so you can finally stop scootching the same goals into the next month, every month• Sam’s experience rebuilding her business during mat-leave and forgiving herself for having different priorities as she grew her family• Simple structures and ideas for managing your marketing and working in your business without sacrificing family time, mental health, or restThis episode is inspiration for the visionary who can’t seem to get their goals off the to-do list, packed with tons of practical tips and a sprinkling of tough-love… which TBH, we needed too.CONNECT WITH SAM ↓Instagram FIXR Workshop Series (use the code FIX20 for 20% off 6-month passes!)Reach out directly here