The Normal Mess

Spotify is shaming Ashley because we don't have enough followers/subscribers. So, to save her from that shame, can you please go click the "Follow" button on Spotify, the check mark on Apple Podcasts, and the "Subscribe" button on YouTube? IT'S FREE. We do this because we love it. And then, can you follow us on Instagram and TikTok (@thenormalmess) and share us with you...

It's officially summertime, and we couldn't be happier! We are mere days away from Cayce's favorite holiday, and potentially, America's Royal Wedding?! We are wearing matching, Tay-themed shirts (thank you, Jenny!), and we have thoughts about the allegedly impending nuptials of the Queen of our Hearts, Taylor Alison Swift . Hot take: there is no way on earth this woman is getting m...

Cayce has a debut, and it has to do with dinner plates. Then, let's talk about hair! Teddy Bear Brond is a thing, people; just ask Ashley's other long-term relationship (her hair stylist, Natalie). In celebration of all the little girls who were told they were "dishwater blond," we present: the hair color rebrand. Same quasi-blond color, new name! Then, our tofu (thanks for the v...

Somewhat in honor of Father's Day, and somewhat because the Wall Street Journal published yet another article we can't help ourselves but to comment on, we're talking about DADS. But first... let's discuss eyelid real estate. And, applications are officially open to join the Messy Bestie club. We accept them on a rolling basis at thenormalmess@gmail.com, and we'll be your safet...

It's Thursday, and Ashley wants to know whatever happened to pants (pants). That was a Chicago (the musical) reference, people. But seriously: why are pants such strange shapes and lengths these days?! Fear not! Cayce has the pep talk we all need: even National Parks get 1-star reviews. And, who knew "birds" was a humor category we needed? Memes are for the birds, friends, and we mea...

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 Fa...

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 epis...

**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 “STAR...

Cayce has a revelation about her many beverages, and we formally petition to bring back the single-girl-20s multi-hour brunch! Then, Ashley has to talk about her dreams. Why are there so many animals, what does it mean to dream about monkeys, and why is she slapping her husband in the face at 3 am? The monkey dreams were an easter egg, apparently, because this episode is all about... PLAY. We talk...

The Normal Mess is back for Season Two, and we have THOUGHTS. Specifically, we have thoughts about the ridiculous number of places we have both been since we were last on a mic together. We also have cute mugs, new hobbies, and podcast-changing announcements. Spoiler alert: The Normal Mess is now a WEEKLY PODCAST. Are we podcasting every week until we die? Only time will tell, Messy Besties. Only...

Surprise! Despite our best efforts to take an actual break during this season break, we couldn't stay away from you, Messy Besties! So... we headed to New York and recorded our FIRST EVER LIVE EPISODE, WITH AN AUDIENCE, and it also happened to be our first podcast mashup. In this episode, we shamelessly ride the coattails of InsHER, one of the coolest podcasts that you can listen to now. I mea...

It's the Season One Finale of The Normal Mess, and Ashley and Cayce saved the best for last. And by that we mean: we talked to an actual, human, real-life neuroscientist (instead of Google!) about all our messiest questions from the past nine episodes! That's right: joining the pod for our first interview and the final episode of the season is... DR. EMILY CROSS! Cognitive neuroscientist, mom of t...

Cayce has a groundbreaking, life-changing announcement, and she agonized over it for a YEAR. As the resident Leslie Knope on our show, that makes Ashley's brain fall out. Are you an agonizer or a gut-decider?! Ashley and Cayce love each other deeply, but we could not relate LESS to each other when it comes to decision-making. Speaking of which, can you please help us decide what TNM listeners are...

Settle in, you poetic and noble land mermaids, it’s Galentine’s Day! Ashley and Cayce toast to the magic of gal pals, and you are cordially invited to join us for a day of ladies celebrating ladies, plus breakfast foods. Who’s the Ann and who’s the Leslie, and will we ever stop talking about Amy Poehler?! Then, come with us on a brilliant and hilarious journey wherein we imagine what the world wou...

Ashley and Cayce are Poehleroids, and we send our congrats to our BFF-who-doesn't-know-she's-our-BFF, Amy, on her Golden Globe win. Speaking of which, what's our official listener nickname? Someone please tell us: if we were getting married, what's our hashtag? Next, we're really on TikTok, guys. We consulted some youths, but we still have some questions. Is it a reel? Are ther...

Ashley and Cayce are mind mouthing. Mind melding? Whatever, our brains are talking to each other. And they're trash talking opponents on game night. Speaking of games, Ashley loves them, Hasbro might want to sponsor us after this, and we have a new rallying cry for Normal Messians (Full Chalancers? Messers? TBD.) everywhere: IT'S SALAD TIME. Then, we talk about balls. The glass and rubber...

It's the first day of 2026, and it's our VERY FIRST VIDEO EPISODE! Will our faces help or hurt our subscriber count? Only time (and your ability to follow Ashley's fiery instructions) will tell! It's 2026, and we are coming in HOT. The reason for the explicit rating becomes abundantly clear right off the bat, and Cayce has a follow-up question for Ashley. How do you say "thank you" to a toddler wh...

Ashley and Cayce are feeling festive! We talk holiday traditions, and we are weirdly in synch when it comes to... tree skirts?! Then, we dive into one of Ashley's favorite rabbit holes: OPTIMISM. Where does it come from? Is it a tree? How do you cultivate it? And, what does it possibly have to do with the California Bar Exam?! We were optimistic to think we'd get through all our big feelings on th...

Grab your sauv blanc and settle in: we are back with more of The Normal Mess! Ashley and Cayce are watching good shows, and for once, Ashley’s is still on the air! Brenè Brown is a genius and Amy Poehler is a goddess. Cayce knows a thing or two about green grass, and adult friendships can be HARD. Are you a big circle person or a deep circle person? Cayce can’t do bluegrass music, Ashley wishes sh...

Ashley and Cayce play a game from our next (future) sponsor, and Ashley apparently relates to many birds. Then, we discuss why nonchalance equates to "cool" and why fangirling is so much more fun. ChatGPT offers its two cents, and Cayce's grandmother continues to bless us with a life motto we should all embrace. Ashley debuts her "serious photographer ex-boyfriend voice," w...

It's the first episode of The Normal Mess! We're Ashley and Cayce, and Ashley would like to formally thank Taylor Swift for convincing Cayce to finally make this podcast. In our inaugural episode, we break down what we not-so-affectionately call "the busy trap." Being occupied does not = fulfilled, so why are we so obsessed with it? Ron Swanson continues to provide life advice, Pimp My Ride and Ze...