Gals on the Go — “much, much better than the last trip…”

Hosts: Brooke Miccio & Danielle Carolan
Release Date: November 5, 2025
Podcast Network: PodcastOne

Episode Overview

This episode is all about cozy catch-ups, friendship traditions, beauty and lifestyle hacks, group trip chaos (and redemption), holiday decorating, and navigating adulting weirdness. Brooke and Danielle deep-dive into what makes their friendship (and its traditions) so strong, why some group trips go so wrong, and how they're refusing to succumb to the winter blues this year. As always, they provide candid girl talk full of funny stories, insightful moments, self-deprecating humor, and practical tips for a happier, more put-together life.

Highlights & Key Discussion Points

1. Fall Mall Day Tradition

[00:23–04:38]

• The duo recounts their annual Fall Mall Day, a tradition where they and friends (usually Katie) embark on a nostalgic shopping trip.
• Discussion about various malls (American Dream, Roosevelt Field, Woodbury Commons), hilarious mall critiques, and the possibility of turning “mall reviews” into a content series.
  • Danielle: “People really do love when we go. Hey, we can review malls. I think that's the thing.” [03:44]
• Lighthearted banter about what qualifies as a “perfect mall” (needs more department stores and an Abercrombie), and dreams of being invited to review malls around the country.

2. Friendship & Traditions

[04:38–06:53]

• The hosts reflect on how adulthood prompts them to intentionally create their own traditions.
  • Brooke: “You hit an age where you're like, okay, I gotta make these traditions for myself.” [05:44]
• They talk about wanting to build traditions for their future families, citing quirky rituals and “niche little things” they want to pass on.

3. Holiday Decor: Themes, Clutter & Nostalgia

[06:53–11:04]

• Brooke and Danielle ponder when to put up holiday decor and the pressures of picking a “holiday theme” (Ralph Lauren Christmas vs. Kardashian aesthetic).
  • Danielle: “Are you also seeing this thing about people trying to decide their Christmas decor theme?” [06:55]
• They discuss collecting sentimental ornaments versus filler ones and share funny stories about décor clashing with apartment aesthetics.
• Decisions about displaying diplomas and YouTube play buttons—how they fit (or don’t) with home design.

4. Trip Recaps: The Notorious New Year's & Redemption at Katie’s 30th

[12:26–21:39]

• Recap of Katie Bellotti’s 30th birthday trip, a multi-house estate murder mystery weekend that stands in stark contrast to a past, disaster-filled New Year’s trip.
  • The New Year’s trip is still “nightmare fuel,” complete with a hazardous, icy driveway and multiple hospital visits.
    • Brooke: “Like, it was people saying it was my nightmare fuel. Like, I like the house. I think about it all the time.” [13:56]
  • They unpack the difficulties and pressures of planning for large groups and mixing friend circles.
• Katie’s birthday trip, however, is deemed “much, much better”—with thoughtful group vibes and fun activities, including a murder mystery.

5. Glam on the Go: Beauty Product Faves

[21:39–25:28]

• Danielle is perfecting her at-home blowout and shares a pro tip: use L’Oreal Elnet and Day hairspray for longevity and hold.
• Brooke’s latest beauty love: Givenchy Prism Libre pressed powder, especially for setting and blurring.
  • Brooke: “As soon as I put it on my skin, it blurs… I bought like two more of the Givenchy powders. That’s saying something, I think.” [24:41]

6. Panic of the Week: Baby Holding Milestone & Murder Mystery Nerves

[26:27–30:13]

• Brooke shares her “panic” about holding a baby for the first time at a friend's gathering — “honestly a really positive experience, I have to say. No tears.” [28:28]
• Danielle’s panic: the tension of being selected as the murderer (again) in the murder mystery game, discovering it mid-party, and pulling off the “devious” role.
  • Danielle: “All of a sudden I just see ‘you are the killer’... immediately my heart starts being so fat… holy.” [37:07]
  • Her commitment to the role leads to some of the night’s funniest moments—culminating in Brooke literally laughing on the floor [39:09].

7. Improving Group Trips: Lessons Learned

[18:46–20:47]

• They reflect on managing trip dynamics, learning from the infamous New Year’s trip, and how mixing friend groups can be “a lot to manage… a lot of personalities. It went well in that way, but, like, you know, fighting.” [18:46]

8. Fighting Seasonal Sadness: Hobbies & Digital Detox

[46:44–56:57]

• Both are actively preempting winter blues by leaning into new hobbies:
  • Brooke has taken up running (building up stamina from “one minute of running and get a cramp so bad I had to stop” to real mileage)—[47:21]
  • She’s also newly obsessed with needlepoint after being inspired by friends: “I woke up one day and I was like, no, I. I'm gonna go to the needlepoint store today.” [49:36]
  • Danielle is “inspired” by this hobbying, admiring the creativity and focus it brings.
• Digital boundaries: Brooke purchased a “Brick” (magnetic device that locks you out of chosen apps), giving herself time off Instagram and TikTok, leading to less FOMO and more original thought.
  • Brooke: “Something about the physical barrier… it feels good. I don’t know how to describe it. I don’t feel FOMO. I think. But if this was me two years ago, I would have been like, oh, my God, I’m missing out.” [56:08]

9. Style & Self-Expression

[57:01–59:27]

• Deep-dive into the struggle of defining a personal aesthetic versus following trends—especially as influencers.
  • Danielle: “Am I wearing this because it’s a trend or because I like it?... I have subconscious thoughts of, like, is it flattering? Which I’m trying to get rid of.” [57:16, 58:44]
• Celebrating the value of personal style over trend-chasing and appreciating when others recognize “this is so you.”

10. Halloween & Holiday Joy—Guilt Free

[59:27–62:43]

• Danielle confesses to making TikTok Halloween costumes for the fun of it without attending any events: “I didn’t go anywhere. I didn’t go to any parties... I just made tick tocks and posted them and had fun.” [59:31]
• Both embrace the fact they’re “nostalgic” and find joy in holiday traditions—Brooke is even preparing to do Thanksgiving with Ben’s family for the first time.

11. Seasonal Affective Disorder: Coping Strategies

[64:43–66:13]

• Brooke buys a “happy light” to combat early sunsets and winter gloom.
• Danielle updates on her Invisalign journey and ongoing commitment to self-care and self-improvement.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Creating Traditions:
  “You hit an age where you’re like, okay, I gotta make these traditions for myself.” – Brooke, [05:44]

• On Group Trips:
  “The house was awful. Oh my gosh. It was a horrible time... nightmares set there in that house...” – Danielle, [14:07]

• On Self-Improvement:
  “I just wanted to get ahead of these things. And then I got the brick.” – Brooke, [54:14]

• On Digital Detox:
  “It feels good. I don't know how to describe it. I don't feel fomo... I just am like, I need to know basis.” – Brooke, [56:08]

• On Originality & Influence:
  “Where I'm so in it that, like, I don't have original thoughts anymore.” – Brooke, [56:36]

• On Style Anxiety:
  “Am I wearing this because it's a trend or because I like it?” – Danielle, [57:16]

• On Halloween for Herself:
  “This was the first year of Halloween where I did costumes and didn’t wear them anywhere... I just filmed a couple tick tocks.” – Danielle, [59:31]

• On Prepping for Seasonal Sadness:
  “The Sun’s setting at 4:30. Like, we have to get ahead of things, guys.” – Brooke, [66:59]

Episode Timeline

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 00:23 | Mall Day tradition, nostalgia, possible mall reviews | | 04:38 | Traditions, adulthood, building future rituals | | 06:53 | Holiday décor, Christmas themes, sentimental ornaments | | 12:26 | Katie’s 30th trip recap; infamous New Year’s trip | | 21:39 | Beauty hacks: blowouts & favorite face powder | | 26:27 | Panic: holding a baby for the first time! | | 30:13 | Murder Mystery Game: anxiety and improv performance | | 46:44 | Hobbies for seasonal sadness: running & needlepoint | | 54:14 | Digital detox: using the Brick to lock off social apps | | 57:01 | Style, Instagram influence, finding personal identity | | 59:27 | Embracing nostalgia, Halloween for the fun of it | | 64:43 | Dealing with seasonal sadness: happy light & updates | | 66:59 | Wrap-up: getting ahead of winter blues |

Final Thoughts

This episode is the epitome of cozy-girl-talk: best friends catching up, rating the level of panic in social situations, sharing beauty & lifestyle upgrades, laughing about group-trip disasters, and giving themselves (and, by extension, their audience) permission to be exactly who they are—even if that's a nostalgic, over-sharing, type-A, scented-candle-loving gal. The rapport is as warm as ever, and the insights into growing up, growing together, and growing more intentional are both relatable and delightful.