She Did her Best

Kayla Mckenna & Ashley Cagle

Welcome to 'She Did Her Best,' a podcast where perfection is overrated, and life's messy moments are our best stories. Celebrating the moms who did what they could, and two friends who've been figuring out the rest together for over 20 years.

  1. Feb 5

    Where Were You in 2016

    Ten years ago, life felt like pure chaos - three kids, full-time work, relationship stress, custody battles, burnout, and barely a second to breathe. In this episode, Kayla and Ashley rewind the clock to 2016 and unpack what life really looked like back then: blackout years, messy Vegas stories, questionable boyfriends, overworking, and just trying to keep their heads above water. It's honest, funny, and a little unhinged in the most relatable way. Now? Therapy, journaling, watering plants, hot-girl walks, healthier love, and finally feeling calm. They talk about how growth sneaks up on you, how marriages take real work, why parenting is just a season, and how freedom hits different when you've earned it. This one's for anyone realizing they didn't just survive the hard years - they came out stronger.

    53 min

  2. Jan 2

    New Year, Still Me (And That's Okay)

    New Year's comes with a lot of pressure to glow up, fix everything, and reinvent your entire life overnight. In this episode, we talk honestly about why January can feel heavy, why resolutions don't stick, and why growth is usually quieter (and messier) than Instagram makes it look. If you're starting the year tired, unsure, burned out, or just trying to survive, this one's for you.

    58 min

  3. 11/17/2025

    Side Quests and Growing Pains

    The girls are back after a short break and catching up on all their side quests, from Vegas festivals and endless concerts to the mosquito apocalypse in Phoenix. Between laughs, Kayla and Ashley swap stories about travel chaos, DoorDash detoxing, and rediscovering the joy of cooking real food. But things get deeper as Ashley opens up about navigating family tension, grief, and the emotional landmines of going through her late mother's belongings. It's honest, raw, and real: the perfect reminder that sometimes doing your best just means showing up, setting boundaries, and finding peace in the middle of change. Check out the gear we use  Rode Pod Mic https://amzn.to/479Ev8J RØDECaster Duo https://amzn.to/4o6oOop PSA1+ Professional Studio Mic Arm https://amzn.to/3KBJ0QF

    54 min

  4. 10/23/2025

    The Math of Life: Love, Loss, and Little Eddie

    This week, Ashley and Kayla get real about the beautiful chaos of life, from dogs on medication and family drama to grief, therapy, and everything in between. Ashley's convinced her pug might be the reincarnation of a Chicago gangster named "Little Eddie," while Kayla opens up about missing her mom, navigating big emotions, and rediscovering balance. There's laughter, vulnerability, and more than a few "oh my god, same" moments. It's another honest, hilarious reminder that we're all just doing our best.

    59 min

  5. 10/04/2025

    Money, Shame & the Cost of Doing Our Best

    Forget politics and religion, we're breaking the real taboo: talking about money. From minimum payments to credit card shame, we explore how we got here, why we stay quiet, and what it means to find peace with imperfection.

    1 hr

  6. 09/13/2025

    Teenagers, Husbands & The Taylor Swift Effect

    What do hair-washing meltdowns, sarcastic husbands, raising teenagers in the TikTok era, and Taylor Swift's NFL takeover all have in common? Us. This week we're unfiltered about marriage, parenting struggles, grief, growing older, and why strong women still do whatever the f* they want. It's messy, it's funny, and it's a little too real.

    1h 4m

  7. 08/29/2025

    Supporting Happiness, Even When It's Hard

    This week, we go from laughing about Costco puzzles, camping trips, and the chaos of traveling with dogs, to navigating the real emotions that come when our parents find love again after loss. We unpack the mix of happiness, hesitation, and honesty that comes with supporting someone else's joy, even when it stirs up complicated feelings. As always, expect plenty of laughs, some Golden Girls-level wisdom, and the reminder that doing our best doesn't always look perfect.

    56 min

  8. 08/15/2025

    Listen Linda

    From childhood tension to adult boundaries, this week Ashley opens up about her decades-long saga with her stepmom—a story that's equal parts petty, painful, and oddly liberating. She shares the backstory of growing up under constant tension, the manipulative moments that still stand out, and the shocking comment that crossed the ultimate line. We unpack the history, the dynamics, and the emotional work it takes to break free—proving that healing and humor can absolutely exist in the same breath.

    1 hr
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Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to 'She Did Her Best,' a podcast where perfection is overrated, and life's messy moments are our best stories. Celebrating the moms who did what they could, and two friends who've been figuring out the rest together for over 20 years.

Information

  • Creator
    Kayla Mckenna & Ashley Cagle
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    She Did her Best