Work Wives & Real Lives

Ava Bodeau and Katie Nyberg
  • 5.0 (5)
  • BUSINESS

Welcome to Work Wives & Real Lives - the podcast where two best friends (and coworkers) spill the tea on business, boundaries, and all the beautiful chaos in between. From workday wins to real-life messes, we're talking through it all - unfiltered, unpolished, and always putting friendship first. Think of it as your weekly catch-up with your favorite coworker turned soul sister. Grab your coffee (or your wine) ...let's get into it!

  1. MAR 13

    Episode 25: "Office Politics for People Who Hate Office Politics”

    Everyone says they hate office politics… but somehow they still shape every workplace.  In this episode, we’re breaking down the game no one admits they’re playing — office politics. Not the backstabbing, gossip-filled version you see on TV, but the real dynamics that influence careers: visibility, relationships, power structures, and knowing how decisions actually get made.  We share the political mistakes we made early in our careers, the moments we realized that hard work doesn’t always equal recognition, and how to navigate workplace dynamics without becoming someone you don’t like.  If you’ve ever wondered why some people get promoted, why certain voices carry more weight in meetings, or how to protect yourself in complicated workplace environments, this episode is for you.  Because the truth is: You don’t have to love office politics — but understanding them can protect your career.  Along the way, we also cover everything from chaotic weekend recaps to dramatic email receipts and our latest TV deep dives.  ⏱️ Episode Timeline  0:00–0:31 – Intro  0:31–39:00 – Weekend recap, TMI dog updates, and the traumatic shaming of burritos  39:00–54:11 – Dramatic email reading: the moral of the story… always come prepared with receipts  54:11–1:32:00 – Main topic: Office Politics for People Who Hate Office Politics • What office politics actually are • Career mistakes we made early on • Visibility vs. effort in the workplace • Building real professional relationships • How to navigate politics without losing your integrity  1:32:00–1:52:39 – Show recap: Tell Me Lies and Love Story: JFK Jr. & Carolyn Bessette

    1h 53m

  2. MAR 6

    Episode 24: "That’s Not a Leadership Style"

    High standards… or just high cortisol?  In this episode, we’re unpacking the leadership behaviors many of us were taught to tolerate — the ones disguised as “high standards,” “fast-paced environments,” or “just being blunt.” From micromanagement to emotional volatility, we’re talking about the red flags that workplaces normalized for far too long.  We share stories from our own careers, the leadership styles that aged us prematurely, and the moments we realized we had to lead differently. Because if your team is scared of you… that’s not respect — that’s survival.  We also break down the difference between fear-based leadership and healthy leadership, how bad leadership impacts team culture (and nervous systems), and what to do if you’re the leader trying to get it right.  Plus: a dramatic email reading featuring a customer threatening to curse our staff, a life catch-up, and our weekly reality TV recap.  No shame. Just awareness.  Episode Timestamps  00:00 – Intro  00:31 – Life recap & recent chaos  28:24 – Dramatic email reading: customer threatens to “curse” our staff  47:36 – Main topic: leadership red flags & fear-based leadership  1:26:54 – The Traitors recap & closing thoughts

    1h 51m

  3. FEB 5

    Episode 23: "We Tried the Productivity Hacks So You Don’t Have To"

    What actually worked, what was a scam, and what nearly broke us. If productivity hacks actually worked the way the internet promises… we’d all be millionaires with color-coded lives by now. Instead? We tried everything so you don’t have to. In this episode, Ava and Katie unpack the chaos of modern productivity culture—from overpriced planners and aesthetic routines to mindset tricks that lasted less than 48 hours. We’re calling out what helped, what stressed us out, and what we’re officially done pretending works. Because at some point, productivity stopped being helpful… and started being performative. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 0:00 – 0:31 Intro 0:31 – 32:50 Weekend updates, kid sports drama, dog health scares, wine tasting gone wildly off the rails, and more life chaos 32:50 – 51:30 Dramatic email reading, classic tangents, and the infamous failed ChatGPT caricature moment 51:30 – 1:12:40 ✨ Main Topic: We dive into the productivity industrial complex— • Why productivity became a personality • 5am routines, planners, and toxic optimization • The apps, routines, and mindset tricks we actually tried • What helped, what stressed us out, and what didn’t survive 48 hours • What actually works (no aesthetic required) 1:12:40 – End Traitors updates, reality TV recaps, more hilarious tangents, and classic Ava & Katie energy

    1h 34m

  4. JAN 30

    Episode 22: "Main Character Energy, Revisited"

    Confidence is powerful—but performing it? Exhausting.  In this episode, we revisit the idea of main character energy and unpack how the internet quietly turned confidence into a full-time job. From aesthetic morning routines and curated vulnerability to the pressure to look healed, happy, and productive at all times, we talk about the difference between living your life and performing it for approval.  We break down what real main character energy actually looks like—quiet confidence, private peace, and choosing alignment over applause. If you’ve ever felt burned out from trying to romanticize every moment or worried that calm means “boring,” this episode is your permission slip to step off the stage and back into your life.  ✨ Confidence without the performance.  ✨ Growth without the audience.  ✨ Peace without posting it.  ⏱️ Episode Timestamps  0:00–0:31 – Intro  0:31–26:40 – Weekend recap: Ava’s scare + Katie’s Scottsdale trip  26:40–34:50 – Delta Airlines update: refunds, chaos, and airline accountability  34:50–57:08 – Dramatic email reading: collection status claims & “we emailed you” energy  57:08–1:24:20 – Main Topic: Main Character Energy vs. Performance Energy  Romanticizing life vs. living itHustle disguised as self-careSaying no, protecting peace, and letting growth be quiet 1:24:20–End – Reality recap: The Traitors, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

    1h 39m

  5. JAN 17

    Episode 21: "Soft Life, Hard Decisions"

    Everyone wants a “soft life” — but no one talks about the hard choices it actually requires. In this episode, we unpack what the soft life really means (and what it doesn’t). From career pivots and uncomfortable boundaries to letting go of hustle culture and redefining success, we’re getting honest about the decisions that don’t make it to social media — but change everything behind the scenes. Choosing ease isn’t passive. It’s strategic. And sometimes, doing less is the bravest move you can make. If you’ve ever felt guilty for wanting rest, peace, or alignment without losing your ambition — this episode is for you. ✨ Ease doesn’t mean you stop growing — it means you stop bleeding for growth. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 0:00:00 – 0:00:31 | Intro 0:00:31 – 0:23:38 | Week recaps, life updates & iconic Uber driver moments 0:23:38 – 0:36:00 | Dramatic airline email reading  0:36:00 – 0:41:07 | Wild business stories: transients, break-ins & chaos 0:41:07 – 1:08:14 | Main Topic: Soft Life, Hard Decisions 1:08:14 – 1:35:40 | Reality TV recap: Real Housewives of SLC & BH + The Traitors (Episodes 1–3) 1:35:40 – 1:36:16 | Final thoughts & closing statements

    1h 37m

  6. JAN 11

    Episode 20: "Season 2, New Boundaries"

    Season 2 is officially here.  We’re kicking things off with a full reset — what changed, what we’re no longer tolerating, and the boundaries we’re actually keeping this year. From burnout lessons and unpopular opinions to Katie’s travel days from hell and a reality TV deep dive into Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and The Traitors, this episode is equal parts growth and chaos. Intentional boundaries, honest conversations, and still a little unhinged — welcome to Season 2.

    1h 12m

  7. 12/24/2025

    Episode 19: "Sticky Socks, Sticky Fingers & Why We Can’t Have Nice Things"

    🚨 EMERGENCY EPISODE ALERT 🚨 Because apparently people do not stop peopling during the holidays—and we officially could not catch a break.  This week, we’re joined by our biggest fan: Katie’s husband, Garrett (aka GBaby). After months of interrupting during filming, he finally makes his debut—offering live reactions to the madness, sharing his own work horror stories, and bravely sitting in silence while Katie roasts him for the tire-related fiasco.  Katie breaks down her multi-day tire fiasco that left her carless, stressed, and driving Garrett’s massive vehicle around Orange County—much to the fear of literally everyone on the road.  But the real reason for this emergency pod? THEFT AT THE STUDIO. Yes… we catch it on camera, confront the situation head-on, and unpack the chaos that followed.  We also dive into:  The unbelievable drama surrounding sticky socks (selling them, giving them away, and apparently stealing them)Scammer stories and real experiences from both Katie and GarrettA quick but passionate recap of the Taylor Swift docuseries to close us outIf you needed proof that small business ownership during the holidays is unhinged… this episode is it.   ⏱️ Episode Timeframe   0:00 – 0:31 | Intro 0:31 – 17:40 | Katie’s tire fiasco + being carless chaos 17:40 – 35:00 | Sticky sock… sticky finger theft caught on camera 35:00 – 47:35 | More sticky sock drama & studio chaos 47:35 – 1:00:35 | Garrett’s early career horror story + scam experiences 1:00:35 – 1:09:15 | Taylor Swift docuseries recap & closing thoughts

    1h 9m

  8. 12/19/2025

    Episode 18: "Closing the 2025 Chapter"

    In our last episode of the year, we’re doing a full year-end inventory: the wins that flew under the radar, the losses that taught us the most, and the moments that stretched us emotionally, professionally, and personally. We talk career growth, shifting boundaries, burnout survival, friendship, and how Work Wives & Real Lives became more than just a podcast this year. You’ll also meet our newest segment, Unpopular Opinions (enter at your own risk), plus a deep dive into the first two episodes of the Taylor Swift docuseries—because pop culture is self-reflection, actually. We close it all out by sharing our intentions for 2026: fewer rules, more clarity, and zero interest in hustle-for-the-sake-of-hustle. This episode is part reflection, part reality TV commentary, part emotional group chat—and full permission to rest, change your mind, and want something different next year. We’re closing 2025… but the plot is absolutely still thickening for your Work Wives.

    1h 58m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Work Wives & Real Lives - the podcast where two best friends (and coworkers) spill the tea on business, boundaries, and all the beautiful chaos in between. From workday wins to real-life messes, we're talking through it all - unfiltered, unpolished, and always putting friendship first. Think of it as your weekly catch-up with your favorite coworker turned soul sister. Grab your coffee (or your wine) ...let's get into it!

Information

  • Creator
    Ava Bodeau and Katie Nyberg
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Work Wives & Real Lives
  • Show Website
    Work Wives & Real Lives