9: I Hurt Myself Sleeping… and Other Midlife Realities

Fake IDs, Road Trips and Dogs That Shart

Angela and Natalie are back from a mini road trip, and somehow that turns into a full tour through questionable teenage decisions, ferry-line trauma, fake IDs made with glue sticks, dogs behaving badly, horses discovering sugar cubes, and the ongoing question: are we still cool? In this episode of The Recovering Nice Girls Club, Angela shares the surprisingly elaborate history of her teenage fake IDs, including one that involved a downtown Seattle adventure, a typewriter, and eight dollars well spent. Natalie looks back on underage club attempts, Canada road trips, sleeping in a tiny VW Scirocco, and the very real art of acting like you totally left your ID in the car when they're trying to card you at the bar. The girls debate whether Angela's adult children actually think they're still cool and eventually come to the only logical conclusion: maybe the kids aren’t sure, but we think we are and that's all that matters! There’s also Olivia the Greyhound, an incident with chocolate-covered almonds, an unfortunate dog story Angela probably should not have told, and proof that lifelong best friends can still entertain each other better than anyone else. Funny, nostalgic, slightly gross, and very much on brand.

Episode 11: Menopause, Butter and Salad

Angela and Natalie talk menopause, butter, and salad all in the same episode — because apparently midlife conversations can go from healthcare frustration to dairy appreciation in record time. Angela opens up about her struggle with insurance companies when it comes to covering basic reproductive and menopause healthcare. She shares how exhausting and frustrating it can be to fight for care that should be straightforward, especially when women are already trying to navigate symptoms, appointments, prescriptions, and the general confusion that often comes with this stage of life. These issues may hit home for many of our listeners, and we hope this conversation reminds you that you’re not alone — and you’re definitely not imagining how complicated the system can make things. After talking menopause, Natalie changes the conversation to... butter. That’s right. Creamy, glorious butter. She explains her deep appreciation for butter and how, at this point, bread may simply be the delivery system. Honestly, she’s not wrong. And then we talk salad. Angela has a favorite dressing, Natalie has decided lettuce isn’t necessarily a crucial ingredient in her salads anymore, and somehow this all makes perfect sense by the end of the episode. It’s an honest, funny, slightly random conversation about women’s health, food, frustration, friendship, and the strange little joys that get us through the day.

9: I Hurt Myself Sleeping… and Other Midlife Realities

This week, the Recovering Nice Girls Club is finally IRL (in real life), and things get real, hilarious, and just a little unhinged (in the best way). We’re talking: * The very real struggle of transitioning from wool socks to flip flops (and whether your toenails are emotionally ready) * A Hawaii vacation that was… basically a week-long rainstorm * The moment you realize you’ve officially entered the “I injured myself sleeping” phase of life * And why putting on a belt suddenly feels like an Olympic event But this episode also has heart. After loss, there’s a new beginning—Angela introduces her newly adopted greyhound, Olivia (yes, she’s a world traveler from Australia and yes, she’s basically a velvet couch potato 🖤). We get into the surprising realities of retired racing dogs, second chances, and what it actually takes to learn how to “just be a dog.” And because this is who we are… we somehow also cover: * Feeding tortillas to wild animals (apparently a universal hit) * Why women are conditioned to be “nice girls” in the first place * And whether hormones might secretly be the key to feeling like a puppy again 👀 It’s equal parts laughter, honesty, and “did we really just say that out loud?” If you’ve ever: * Tried to hold it together while life throws you curveballs * Felt like your body didn’t get the memo that you’re still 25 * Or wondered if being “nice” is actually holding you back …this episode is for you. Grab a drink, settle in, and come hang out with us 💛

10: Brownies, Best Friends & a Potato in the Mail

🎙️ This week, the Recovering Nice Girls Club accidentally turns into a cooking show… and honestly, we’re not mad about it. We’re baking brownies, making “healthy” blueberry scones (don’t ask too many questions), and doing what we do best, talking about literally everything else along the way. In this episode, we go way back: * The exact moment we met (and why we didn’t like each other at first 👀) * The infamous Holly Hobbie coat incident * The staged recess fight that fooled everyone * And the heartbreak of being separated… followed by letters, long-distance calls, and yes, mailing each other potatoes Because that’s what best friends do. We also get into: * The phrases only our generation understands (“for Pete’s sake” and “smack dab” anyone?) * Why kids today make zero sense sometimes * And how a fifth-grade teacher somehow knew we were meant to stay friends for life This episode is messy, nostalgic, and full of laughs, but underneath it all, it’s about something real: 👉 The kind of friendship that sticks… no matter what. If you’ve ever had a best friend who feels more like family, or if you’ve ever laughed so hard you cried while making something in the kitchen, this one’s for you. Grab a snack (or a potato 🥔), and come hang out with us.

8: Societal Expectations and Creating Your Own Path

This episode of The Recovering Nice Girls Club explores the delicate balance between grieving a profound loss and finding the "spark" to move forward. Natalie and Angela share deeply personal stories about the loss of beloved animal companions, the challenges of being a woman in male-dominated industries, and how they are learning to trade "nice girl" compliance for authentic confidence. Can you find hope in the midst of heartbreak? After a short break, Natalie and Angela return with a heartfelt and honest conversation about life’s most difficult transitions. This week, Angela opens up about the sudden loss of her beloved dog, Gem, and the bittersweet journey of preparing her home to adopt another rescue. Meanwhile, Natalie celebrates the launch of her second children’s book, The Heart of a Wild Horse, which mirrors her own experience of healing after losing a soul-mate horse of 18 years and opening up her heart again to adopt a wild horse. Together, they discuss why finding a "spark" of excitement is vital for lifting yourself out of the heavy fog of grief. The duo also tackles the reality of being a "Recovering Nice Girl" in the professional world. Natalie shares a candid look at the strategies she uses to be taken seriously as a woman in the boat detailing industry, from finding her voice with skeptical customers to her "nothing to see here" wardrobe strategy for navigating male-dominated boatyards. In this episode, we discuss: * Navigating Pet Loss: The unique bond with rescue animals and the process of "home studies" for adoption. * Telling Your Story: Natalie finds ways to tell her story through her children's books and * Confidence vs. Compliance: Learning to stand your ground when experts (or "crusty sea captains") doubt your abilities. * Generational Shifts: A look at how expectations for women have evolved from the 1960s to 2026. (Spoiler alert - they haven't changed much!) Links Mentioned: * The Heart of a Wild Horse [https://amzn.to/4b5oFxL] * The Adventures of Barnaby, Penelope, and Pip [https://amzn.to/4l0GHow] * The Insider’s Guide to Boat Cleaning and Detailing [https://amzn.to/3MrPYct] * Fake It Till You Make It, But Don’t Fake It Till You Break It [https://amzn.to/4kVQjAP]