It's Not the Destination

Riley Shonka + Kate Helms
  • 5.0 (16)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

Two millennial ladies talk throwing out the Instagram filters, releasing expectations, and celebrating YOUR unique journey…and document all the tears and self-help books they've encountered along the way. As a suburban mom in the middle of a career change, Riley has struggled with the age-old dilemma of "having it all". Kate is navigating the single life with her trusty golden retriever, and still figuring out what she wants to be when she grows up. On INTD, they share their successes + struggles, offer grace and advice, and get REAL...with a side of skin care recs and pop culture hot takes.

  1. 09/09/2022

    Episode 13: Update in Progress

    Kate + Riley...download some personal-life updates!! Kate has a BIG announcement, and a new job on top of it! Riley actually has no exciting news, so she goes to her comfort topics: reminiscing about first-date red flags, and giving an eye-roll to a member of the royal family. They both discuss the influence social media has on being a bride-to-be, and the pressures of a performative engagement season. Debunking the anxiety taken on when they strive to attain X relationship status by Y age, they explore what love looks like when their wedding bell deadlines aren't met...and find some joy in letting the universe unfold their love stories in its own time. Let's get to it!

    1h 1m

  2. 08/19/2022

    Episode 12: What a Tool

    Kate + Riley...reveal what is in their respective "toolkits" when it comes to dealing with stress and transitions. With Kate about to tackle a career update, and Riley feeling stalled in some personal and professional areas, both of your gals are needing a little extra emotional management lately! They talk what they do to stay centered (hint: it's NOT the influencer 5am tea + yoga routine, and they have zero affiliate links in their morning routines). You probably already guessed that retail therapy is involved, but they also dish on ice rolling their faces and cleaning their cabinets. With their entire hearts, they support actual regular THERAPY as well! Kate dishes on meditation and long walks. Riley goes on a tangent (weird, right?) about Shein, and pleads with everyone to buy a Sloppy Joe sweatshirt. They defend the psychological benefit of light gossip and debate what level of "hip" sneakers Riley can pull off. As always, it's unfiltered, unafraid of getting real, and a little unhinged in a fun way!

    1h 2m

  3. 08/12/2022

    Episode 11: I Won't Drink to That

    Kate + Riley...get real about their respective views on sobriety. Go figure- Riley listened to a different podcast, hopped on their Instagram, and then got a little heated!  To calm her down, this week they discuss and validate a wide range of sobriety journeys. Together they break down the stigma around substance abuse disorder, take the shame out of "alcoholism", and encourage others to live their sobriety with pride. They also remind you that wellness being promoted on Instagram is still a financially-motivated venture, even when it's doing good. Life coaches and therapists get shoutouts, and we applaud sober celebs who keep it real. Whether you are sober-curious or seriously considering changing your life by eliminating alcohol, there IS a path out there for you! They don't have the answer to how anyone should get sober, but they DO have faith that anyone can do it! We would LOVE to hear about your sobriety journey! If there is a perspective we missed, info you think we got wrong, or an aspect of the sober life that we left out, please let us know!! You can hit our Instagram DMs, or email us at: notthedestinationpodcast@gmail.com As always, please like, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast platform!  Find us on social media: @notthedestinationpodcast on Instagram, "It's Not the Destination" on Facebook

    1 hr

  4. 08/03/2022

    Episode 10: #Influenced

    Kate + Riley...vent about influencer pyramid schemes, and the financial motives behind the recs of your favorite content creators. As the quintessential #InfluencedByInsta gal, Riley dishes on buying products to solve a problem she didn't know she had...until an influencer helpfully pointed it out! She also defends when buying a product rec is totally justified (she's not just going to *not* have a package to look forward to, after all). Kate takes down sneaky "wait, is this a pyramid scheme" marketing, and throws a bit of shade at beauty and exercise products that come with a side of "you, too, can own your own business!". And they don't just remind you that your fave influencers are getting paid to like the stuff they are telling you to like, they also: vote, ponder if clean beauty is a scam, love a fridge-chilled sheet mask, and give mad props to the amazing teachers out there. Enjoy!

    1h 5m

  5. 07/18/2022

    Episode 9: Love, Actually

    Kate + Riley...cover a wide range of topics all relating to...LOVE! Riley talks about her "deadlines" for marriage and a family, and gives an honest take at what 5+ years of marriage really looks like (spoiler alert: it's not a fairy tale). Kate covers ignoring red flags, trusting your gut, and going for what you want. Advice is offered to all of those struggling with finding themselves "behind" where they want to be (and where it seems like every stinking Facebook friend from high school is). They find value in their past AND current relationship struggles, talking about the growth and learning they've accomplished through their break-ups and make-ups. On the lighter side, Kate dishes on her recent move and Riley gossips about her extended family a little!

    1h 2m

  6. 06/29/2022

    Episode 8: Take Care

    Kate + Riley...need a break. Don't we all right now? The gals break down what they do when the world is just a little too much to handle- from face masks and Netflix breaks to activism and text-banking. Any and all forms of self care that get you through the tough spots are validated here! They debate the pros and cons of influencers spouting their political views, and whether we are expecting too much from people we originally followed for shopping recs and baking tips. Riley has some hot packing cube recommendations and makes cookies in an air fryer; Kate contemplates how many online shopping tabs are too many. The world is messy, let's process it together!!

    54 min

  7. 06/15/2022

    Episode 7: Cheers to...What?

    Kate + Riley unpack...millennial drinking culture! How are we impacted by a modern drinking culture in which every social activity centers around catching a buzz? Who does this isolate, and how do Kate + Riley as non-drinkers respond? They also applaud the mocktail movement and the recent visibility of sobriety journeys on social media...and on that note, finally give Chrissy T a break on something. Kate gives Scott Disick some love, and gives the rest of us a great movie theater popcorn hack. Riley applauds Tom Cruise's anti-aging team, and goes on a 3-minute tangent about asking ladies when they are going to have more kids. They don't knock anyone for knocking back a seltzer or two...but do question the affect of America's "is it happy hour yet" culture. Do they land on what is to be done about it? No. But they do want everyone to go out and do one thing: see Top Gun: Maverick!  Follow the podcast on Instagram @NotTheDestinationPodcast Get in contact: email us at @ NotTheDestinationPodcast@gmail.com to send us compliments...or questions, or topics you'd love to hear us cover. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review!!

    1h 3m

  8. 06/08/2022

    Episode 6: Resting LA Face

    Kate + Riley discuss...aging!! Doing it gracefully, doing it not-so-gracefully, and the importance of doing it transparently. Riley debates the responsibility influencers have to disclose the "work" they have done, and how their transparency (and lack thereof) leads to unrealistic expectations and wasted money for the rest of us. Kate ponders the slippery slope of "anti-aging" efforts, and why the heck we all want to undergo them in the first place. They gripe about the rise of the "LA Face", and lament the lack of good examples out there of women who embrace their greys and "11s". Riley questions J Lo's skin care routine, while Kate questions J Lo's current love life. They do both cop to the occasional Botox session, and leave plenty of space for everyone whose aging journey takes them to the aesthetician. We all take different routes aging, and the gals are here to help you embrace where yours is taking you!  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @NotTheDestinationPodcast  Get in touch: email us at NotTheDestinationPodcast@gmail.com to send us compliments, feedback, questions, or topics you'd love for us to dive into!  Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review!!

    1h 5m
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Trailer

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Two millennial ladies talk throwing out the Instagram filters, releasing expectations, and celebrating YOUR unique journey…and document all the tears and self-help books they've encountered along the way. As a suburban mom in the middle of a career change, Riley has struggled with the age-old dilemma of "having it all". Kate is navigating the single life with her trusty golden retriever, and still figuring out what she wants to be when she grows up. On INTD, they share their successes + struggles, offer grace and advice, and get REAL...with a side of skin care recs and pop culture hot takes.

Information

  • Creator
    Riley Shonka + Kate Helms
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Riley Shonka + Kate Helms
  • Show Website
    It's Not the Destination