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Episode 30: Messy Is Our Polish (aka 30.2)

Sometimes the best episodes don’t go exactly as planned… and sometimes that’s the whole point.

In this re-recorded (and very real) Episode 30, Jen and Rachel embrace the chaos after recording an entire episode with zero audio. What could’ve been a spiral turns into laughter, reflection and a deeper conversation about creativity, imperfection and momentum.

This episode is about messy magic, creative resilience and why polish doesn’t have to mean perfect.

☕ What We Cover in This Episode

• The infamous no-audio recording fail and why Episode 30 became 30.2
• A callback to Episode 29’s This or That moment that sparked a brand-new merch line
• The meaning behind “Messy Is My Polish” and why it resonated so deeply
• Why 10% of Messy Is My Polish merch sales are being donated to Ballet Wichita
• A fresh This or That: Chaos Edition showdown
• Hits Different featuring "us"
• Coffee Breaks at Larcher’s Market
• What’s coming next for the podcast, including guest episodes and special locations

🎲 This or That: Chaos Edition Highlights

This week’s prompts lean all the way into imperfection and growth.

Spoiler alert: messy wins… but polish still matters.

👕 Merch Moment: “Messy Is My Polish”

What started as an offhand This or That response in Episode 29 quickly became a mantra — and now, a merch line.

Jen and Rachel talk through:

• Why the phrase stuck
• How it reflects their creative process and friendship
• Why letting listeners see the mess feels more honest than chasing perfection

And because community matters, they’re donating 10% of all “Messy Is My Polish” merch sales to Ballet Wichita in support of local arts and creatives.

🎶 Hits Different: “us” by Gracie Abrams (feat. Taylor Swift)

This week’s Hits Different segment goes deep.

Rachel shares her take on the song’s themes of memory, secrecy and emotional residue after relationships end. Jen opens up vulnerably about how the song connects to her own past, reflecting on love, timing, mistakes and growth — including why the lyric about being 29 hits especially hard.

This isn’t just about the song. It’s about reflection, honesty and the courage to talk about the chapters that shaped you.

☕ Coffee Breaks at Larcher’s Market

The first official Coffee Breaks meetup takes place at Larcher’s Market, complete with:

• Local goods, cozy vibes and great lighting
• A reminder that community moments don’t have to be big to be meaningful

More Coffee Breaks are officially on the way.

🔮 What’s Coming Next

Episode 30 marks a turning point.

Coming up:

• Guest episodes recorded at special locations
• Collaborations with local creatives and business owners
• Lifestyle photography captured during recordings
• A front-loaded February full of momentum

This episode is the inhale. What’s next is the spark.

💛 Final Thought

Messy doesn’t mean broken.
Messy doesn’t mean unprofessional.
Sometimes messy is the polis

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Episode 29: Mirrorballs & Milestones

Water for Elephants, vinyl nights, Taylor Swift truths and celebrating moments that shimmer

This week felt like a highlight reel — the kind where art, community and personal milestones all collide in the best way. Jen and Rachel recap an unforgettable week filled with Broadway magic, behind-the-scenes access, local music love, a milestone birthday and a Swiftie song that hits straight in the feelings.

From watching acrobats warm up before Water for Elephants to listening to Wichita artists tell the stories behind their albums, this episode explores what it means to reflect light, show up fully and celebrate the moments that quietly shape us.

✨ In this episode:

• Attending Broadway in Wichita's production of Water for Elephants and witnessing a pre-show acrobatic warmup that revealed the heart behind the spectacle
• Why behind-the-scenes access changes how we experience art — and makes us better audience members
• A deep dive into ICT Vinyl Club’s Local Artist Night featuring Pretend Friend, Casey Abay and Social Cinema
• Celebrating Nick’s 18th birthday with scratch tickets, custom cookies and the realization that time moves fast
• THIS or THAT returns with spotlight vs substance prompts that spark thoughtful conversation
• It Hits Different (A Swiftie Segment): Taylor Swift’s Mirrorball from Folklore and what it reveals about people-pleasing, chameleon energy and loving fully
• Why shining brightly is never something to regret — even when relationships don’t last
• A preview of the new Coffee Break series launching at Aroma Coffee House
• Upcoming guest recordings with Happy Camper Hat Company, Vu Events and GHOSTGIRL — and the beautiful spaces hosting them

🎶 Song discussed:

• Mirrorball — Taylor Swift (Folklore)

☕ What’s coming next:

• Coffee Break: A new mini-series inspired by the ICT Coffee Passport
• Guest episodes recorded at Bubbles, GROW and Odd Fellow Hall
• More conversations rooted in creativity, community and lived experience

If you loved this episode, be sure to follow, subscribe and share with a friend who loves Broadway, local art or a good Taylor Swift lyric breakdown.
And if you’re interested in sponsoring an upcoming episode, slide into our DMs — we’d love to collaborate.

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Some weeks feel louder than others. This one felt deeper.

In Episode 28, Jen and Rachel return to the theme of Becoming — not as a destination, but as a living, breathing season filled with milestones, emotions and moments that quietly change us. From standing ovations and final bows to baby showers, birthdays and songs that truly hit different, this episode captures what it feels like to watch life unfold in real time.

This is an episode about pride and grief coexisting. About looking forward while honoring what’s already behind you. And about realizing that some moments stay with you forever — even while everything else keeps moving.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Nathan’s state-winning performance of Alice by Heart and the emotional weight of final bows
• The magic of the Kansas Thespians Festival and finding creative community at a young age
• What it’s like watching your child step fully into their talent and confidence
• Rachel’s weekend in Liberty for Hannah’s baby shower and the beauty of showing up in support
• The quiet power of milestones like baby showers and 18th birthdays
• Why “Becoming” isn’t one big moment — it’s a collection of small, meaningful ones
• Another round of This or That, centered on growth, reflection and emotional seasons
• Lyrics that comfort vs lyrics that confront (and why confrontation often heals more)
• New segment alert! Introducing "It Hits Different (A Swiftie Series)", where Jen and Rachel will discuss a different song each week. This week we talk about Taylor Swift’s Hits Different and how the song applies far beyond romantic breakups
• Jen’s reflection on career grief, identity and letting go of something that once defined her
• Rachel’s perspective on breakups that don’t end in anger — just understanding
• Why some endings are harder because they were once full of hope
• Looking ahead to Water for Elephants, upcoming guests and what’s next for the podcast

This Episode’s Themes:

• Becoming in real time
• Pride, grief and growth
• Creative community
• Milestones that mark us
• Music as reflection and healing
• Letting things evolve

Featured Music Moment:

• “Hits Different” – Taylor Swift
  A conversation about breakups that aren’t dramatic, but still linger — and how the song resonates across career changes, identity shifts and personal growth.

What’s Coming Up:

• Behind-the-scenes access at Water for Elephants
• More guest episodes on the horizon
• Continued conversations around creativity, community and becoming
• And plenty more This or That moments (Rachel is currently on a winning streak 👀)

If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who’s navigating a milestone of their own. And if you’re in an Era of Becoming yourself — we’re really glad you’re here with us.

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