Family Fights & Tulane Nights

Summary

Hot Mess with Alix Earle – Episode: Family Fights & Tulane Nights

Release Date: November 21, 2024

In this engaging episode of Hot Mess with Alix Earle, hosts Alex Earl and Ashton delve into the chaotic yet heartwarming experiences of attending Tulane University's Parents Weekend in New Orleans. The episode, titled "Family Fights & Tulane Nights," offers listeners an intimate glimpse into the complexities of navigating familial relationships, managing social events, and the inevitable mishaps that come with large family gatherings.

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1. Preparing for Parents Weekend

The episode kicks off with Alex expressing her excitement and nerves about traveling to New Orleans with her extensive family. She shares her anxiety about packing for the unpredictable weather, highlighting the challenges of balancing comfort with style.

Alex Earl [03:15]: "I think I have an outfit that I think will be good for this. I think I put something together once."

Ashton provides practical advice on appropriate attire, steering Alex away from heels to more suitable footwear for tailgating and outdoor activities.

Ashton [02:47]: "You're not gonna want to wear heels. You're gonna be breaking your ankle and stepping in mud."

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2. Reflecting on Past Parents' Weekends

The duo reminisces about previous Parents Weekends, sharing stories that range from humorous to cringe-worthy. Ashton recounts an incident where she danced on tables with her mom, much to the dismay of her younger siblings.

Ashton [06:33]: "Is that where the videos of Penelope dancing on, like, the picnic table came from?"

These anecdotes highlight the blend of fun and frustration that large family gatherings can bring, setting the stage for the current weekend's events.

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3. Navigating Current Weekend Events

Upon arrival in New Orleans, Alex and Ashton navigate a series of planned activities, each presenting its own set of challenges:

• Family Dinner Chaos: Despite efforts to foster family bonding by enforcing a phone-free dinner, the evening descends into chaos as children become restless and parents attempt to manage the situation.

  Alex Earl [31:12]: "Everyone put their phones down... Everyone's screaming, then they're kicking."

• Zoo Visit Fiasco: A planned trip to the zoo turns problematic when the family arrives just as it closes. The ensuing frustration leads to an impromptu sprint through the exhibits, showcasing the generational differences in energy levels and patience.

  Alex Earl [36:11]: "And it was like we're running past every exhibit... Obviously, that was not an option for our family because they were like, we have to hit every corner of this zoo."

• Bowling Mishaps: A relaxing bowling night quickly spirals out of control when an adult, Todd, injures himself, causing panic among the group and revealing the underlying tensions within the family dynamic.

  Ashton [39:39]: "Thomas picked up a bowling ball... Ashley runs over. She's like, he's gonna drop it on his foot."

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4. Managing Family Dynamics and Personal Strain

As the weekend progresses, both hosts discuss the emotional toll of hosting a large family and the exhaustion that comes with constant social interactions. Ashton opens up about feeling drained and the difficulty of maintaining her usually optimistic demeanor amidst the chaos.

Ashton [48:03]: "I feel very, very drained sometimes when I spend time with our family. Too much."

Alex supports Ashton, sharing her own struggles with managing stress and seeking moments of solitude to regain her composure.

Alex Earl [48:37]: "We're trying to find moments of peace... Ordering Subway. Sit down. Peace and quiet."

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5. Highlights and Heartwarming Moments

Despite the challenges, the episode is sprinkled with heartwarming moments that underscore the bonds of family. The hosts share laughter over shared mishaps and express gratitude for their close-knit relationships.

• Birthday Celebrations: Although plans are disrupted, the intention behind celebrating their sister Penelope's birthday remains a touching gesture.

  Ashton [46:42]: "It was so fun... Then we danced, and then it was raining, so we didn't go to the game."

• Support During Turbulence: A tense moment occurs during a family flight where unexpected turbulence triggers anxiety. Both Alex and Ashton demonstrate their resilience and support for each other and their family members.

  Alex Earl [54:07]: "So, I'm like really freaking out on this flight. And then all of a sudden it stops."

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6. Listener Q&A: Personal Advice Segment

Towards the end of the episode, Alex and Ashton transition into a "What Would Alex Do?" segment, providing insightful advice to listeners facing similar dilemmas:

• Navigating New Relationships: Alex shares her personal experience with defining relationship boundaries, emphasizing the importance of honesty and communication.

  Alex Earl [60:10]: "I think the roommate thing is always so tricky... It's never gonna be an easy conversation."

• Handling Online Content Consumption: The hosts discuss the impact of platforms like OnlyFans on relationships, advocating for personal boundaries and mutual respect.

  Ashton [62:00]: "I think only fans is different than, like, porn... if you're, like, subscribing to, like, one person and, like, personally paying to watch one person, like, that feels wrong."

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7. Closing Reflections

As the episode wraps up, Alex and Ashton reflect on the whirlwind of events, acknowledging the unpredictability of family gatherings. They express a mix of exhaustion and fondness, underscoring the messy yet meaningful nature of familial bonds.

Alex Earl [63:30]: "It's crazy, I don't know. We just hit turbulence. How did you already sign off to everyone? I was like, she was like, she's quick with it."

The episode concludes on a lighthearted note, reinforcing the theme that despite the "hot mess" nature of their lives, the journey is one they navigate together with humor and resilience.

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Notable Quotes:

• Ashton [03:07]: "I can't wear heels. I'm probably more so wearing these to like the coffee shop or the grocery store."
• Alex Earl [07:03]: "Don't leave us."
• Ashton [08:12]: "I don't want to be like, I don't want to go back."
• Alex Earl [22:47]: "Anyone who listens to Hot Mess and when I say, like, oh, Ashton gets closed off... that's so ash encoded."

This episode masterfully balances humor with heartfelt moments, offering listeners relatable content about family dynamics, personal growth, and the ever-present "hot mess" of life.

Transcript

[Alex Earl]

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[Ashton]

Yeah, everyone here honestly is a cool girl. I feel like that's why I started. Really? Like, I'm not kidding. Like everyone here. I go to class, I'm like Damn, everyone looks so good. But, yeah, like, you just called me and asked if you should wear heels to the game. No, I just called.

[Alex Earl]

Ashton was like, is that acceptable to wear heels to the football game? I can't.

[Ashton]

Well, like, you're not gonna want to wear heels. You're gonna be breaking your ankle and stepping in mud if. Especially if we go tailgate out the frats before it. It's, like, muddy, you know? You know how frats get.

[Alex Earl]

I just always want to wear heels.

[Ashton]

I would say, like, sneakers or. A lot of girls here wear, like, boots or cowboy boots.

[Alex Earl]

Okay.

[Ashton]

If you have any of those.

[Alex Earl]

I do. I think I have an outfit that I think will be good for this. I think I put something together once. You said no to my heels, and then, like, what should I wear to, like, dinner or going out?

[Ashton]

I feel like dinner. I usually do, like, a jeans and heels vibe. It's still hot here, which is really annoying because I love fall. And we have had zero fall weather. It's still in the 80s.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. Wait, I was kind of packing for fall. I packed, like, a lot of sweaters and jeans, and then I realized that it's hot.

[Ashton]

Well, that's the thing. Like, I can't wear shorts to class anymore, so, like, I'll be wearing jeans. But I'm sweating walking to class. But then the classrooms are freezing, so it's. It's really difficult for me right now. But, yeah, jeans are fine. Like a light jacket at night probably. It gets. It gets cooler now, but, you know.

[Alex Earl]

I'm so excited, and. And I can't believe the whole family is coming. All 45 of us.

[Ashton]

I'm actually so stressed. People are like, oh, how many people in your family are coming? I'm like, everyone. They're like, oh, who's everyone? I'm like, there's nine of us. They're like, what? I'm like, yep.

[Alex Earl]

We don't travel light.

[Ashton]

No, no, no. We don't do anything light, unfortunately. I'm, like, so stressed, kind of. I'm so excited to see everyone, but I feel like. I feel like I'm hosting. Not really, but, like, kind of. So I'm like, you are.

[Alex Earl]

You have to show us a good time.

[Ashton]

Should we bring the kids to the frats?

[Alex Earl]

I think we should. I think they would have a great time.

[Ashton]

Did I tell you what happened last year during parents Weekend?

[Alex Earl]

I don't remember.

[Ashton]

So it was dad, Ashley, mom, the three kids. There was this one, like, Saturday event at this big venue. It's like an outdoor indoor bar. And then there's just this whole, like, sand lot type thing. It's a really weird venue we have here, but it's. It's fun. And it was. Three different frats were throwing a darty there, so this was, like, a big deal. This has never happened before, and I was super excited. So we. I got brunch with the fam before, and then we went back to our house for a little bit to meet up with, like, my friends and their parents, and we all, like, pregamed and hung out a little here. Meanwhile, the kids are still with us. And I was texting all my friends in the frats. I was like, can I bring my little siblings? Like, I feel like they're fine. Like, they're cool at this point. I'm already drunk and. And bad, bad, bad Ashton. Cause we were drinking at brunch, and then we were pregaming here, and all the little kids. I was like, yep, we're bringing all the little kids to White Sands. It's gonna be so much fun. I still have scaries from this day because we got there, and at first there was, like. I think they had, like, freshman boys, like, running the door. And one of them, like, tried to not let the kids in, and then he got yelled at, apparently, which I feel really bad about. And. But anyway, they get in, and we're just fine. Everyone's just kind of, like, chillin'the. Kids get into the bar, no biggie. And we're all hanging out, and I decide I'm gonna run away from everyone. I ran away, like, six times from everyone. And the kids were so mad at me. The kids and dad and Ashley eventually left, and mom stayed, and me and mom were, like, dancing on the tables and everything. It was a really dark day for me, and I woke up the next day, and the kids were like, you left us? And I was like, I don't know what's wrong with me. So that.

[Alex Earl]

Is that where the videos of Penelop Pelpie dancing on, like, the picnic table came from?

[Ashton]

Yes. And they're, like, standing on the stools.

[Alex Earl]

I was. Yeah, I was so confused. I was like, why are my little siblings out of rap?

[Ashton]

It was really a cool, fun venue, but for some reason, I was just in a weird mindset, and I kept running away from everyone, which is not normal, actually. No, I do that a lot. I kind of get drunk and, like, run away from people, but I'm not doing that this year because I. I actually felt so horrible and bad, especially for the little kids.

[Alex Earl]

Don't leave us.

[Ashton]

No, I'm not. I don't know. I was in a weird. I was being weird, but no, I.

[Alex Earl]

Think I was like, you're always being weird.

[Ashton]

I was chasing after a boy, actually. I was just. I was just. I had, like, just started, like, hanging out with this guy. Like, barely knew him. And I was talking to him, and dad walks up to him. Cause he had, like, dad, of course, knows everything. And I was like, oh, my God. And dad's like, hi, are you. Blah, blah, blah. Nice to meet you. And I was like, this is not happening. And I think that's why I kept.

[Alex Earl]

Our parents have a problem of doing this. Our parents, sometimes they're, like, too comfortable with. Yeah. Because we're so comfortable with them.

[Ashton]

Yeah.

[Alex Earl]

They think that they are our best friends, but sometimes it gets to a point when they intervene with, like, the guys. And I'm like, you still have to act cool. Like, you're still the parent.

[Ashton]

Yeah. Don't be like, hi. I've heard so much, you know? Yeah.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah.

[Ashton]

And that's another thing I've realized, though. I've started to get to a point where I feel like I don't care. Like, any guy can meet my parents. I'm more embarrassed of the guys than I am of my family now. Like, because, like, you know, you get what you get with our family. Like, we're. We're fun. Like, I like introducing people to our.

[Alex Earl]

I know. I feel like meeting. Meeting guys with our family isn't that big of a deal, because it's just, like, there are extended friends.

[Ashton]

Like, I have texted dad being like, I'm embarrassed. Like, he's giving me the ick. Like, don't. Don't judge me for this boy. And, like, it's kind of backwards, but it's kind of funny. I love our relationship with our family.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. Our parents are, like our extended friends. And one thing about them is they will go out. And that's the one thing about Parents Weekend is that there's some parents that go to parents Weekend and visit their kids at college. And it's very. Like, they're there to take them out to a nice dinner, spend some quality time, walk around the campus, see where they go to class. And our parents are like, parents weekend. We're here to throw down. We're going to the parties. We're going to the frats. Like, what's the best club in town? And it's just. It's just how our family is.

[Ashton]

No, I feel like dad has been here so many Times. And he's like, yeah, you've never walked me through campus. I'm like, well, we've partied here, we've been to the Boot multiple times. And he's like, yeah, but I don't think I've ever like, really gone through your campus with you. I was like, okay, well let's do that this time.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. And it's always kind of awkward when like sometimes you have friends that their parents are their for, like strictly business and strictly to just see their kids and take them to dinner. And like, then our parents come in and they're like, woohoo, where are we going?

[Ashton]

Yeah.

[Alex Earl]

And I'm like, let's cool it down. Like, guys, act cool, act normal. Act like adult. We're fitting in with the other, pretend we're normal. But then there are some other parents that are really fun. And it's always fun when the parents make friends with the other parents that are fun.

[Ashton]

Yeah.

[Alex Earl]

Like my parents would make friends with my friend's parents. And it's just funny, like, seeing older versions of us out and about.

[Ashton]

Like our dad and Roy's dad, who Roe's been my roommate since, since freshman year, they like love to go out together. My dad's always like, I can't wait to see Dan. Like, we're gonna have so much fun together. And I'm like, okay, that's so fun for them. I know.

[Alex Earl]

And honestly, I used to be like, wait, what's wrong with my parents? Why do they wanna go out? And now that I'm not in college, I'm like, this is the best time, like we're getting and experience college. I'm so excited. I'm gonna be the blacked out older sister at the frat house. I'm scared for you to be here. I'm already scared for me to come too, because I just know it's gonna be embarrassing. And it's like, just pack it up, Alex, pack it up. And I know that I'm not going to. I know that I'm going to make a fool of myself.

[Ashton]

Oh, absolutely. But it's gonna be great because we're all gonna do it together.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. I mean, it's like one Earl does it, the rest of the Earls are on board. At least there's nine other of us doing the same thing.

[Ashton]

I think it was my freshman year. We were, it was after a football game during parents weekend and we were at the Boot with everyone and it was like, me and.

[Alex Earl]

Which I'm so excited to go to the Boot. You have to give. The Boot is like, this bar on campus, and that's all I'll say.

[Ashton]

The Boot is literally in campus, and Alex is obsessed with it because we have cheap drinks. I'm like, go to any other normal college that isn't University of Miami, but they have bars with cheap drinks. But the booth's fun because it's literally on campus, and it's kind of like a freshman bar, but it's also just like a pregame bar that we always go to. It's super close to everything, and it's super convenient. What is that?

[Alex Earl]

Kristen? What just happened?

[Ashton]

What just happened?

[Alex Earl]

Wait, do you need help? She said it literally sounded like our cabinet just toppled over and fell onto Kristen.

[Ashton]

Oh, is she okay?

[Alex Earl]

She said. She said that everything just. I hope that we got that audio. Hearing all the clicks. She said that everything in the cabinet just fell out.

[Ashton]

I just heard, like, a. But I didn't really know what it was.

[Alex Earl]

Oh, my God. Wow. That was funny. But, yeah, the boo.

[Ashton]

We love the boo.

[Alex Earl]

So much fun.

[Ashton]

So much fun.

[Alex Earl]

And you know what? Parents weekend. Do you remember my parents weekend? University of Miami, freshman year, when you guys came to visit me? Ashton was still in high school. I got in so much trouble.

[Ashton]

That was, like, the best weekend of my life. That was just such a fun weekend for me because I remember the first night. I remember we went to Sandbar. Was it. I just remember, like, dancing with, like, all your guy friends, and they were all like, ooh, like Alex's little sister. And I was like, like, this is so fun.

[Alex Earl]

That's so cool that you were. You got to, like, visit someone in college when you were in high school.

[Ashton]

I begged mom and dad to let me stay in the dorm with you because I wanted to get the full experience.

[Alex Earl]

I know, I know. And my parents were like, ashton's not allowed to stay with you. Like, what are you gonna do to her? She would stay right with me. And I had a. Yeah, that part is coming. I had a little twin bed, and Ashton would sleep in it with me, and we literally would just, like, spoon and sleep together.

[Ashton]

Oh, my God. Actually, I don't know if you're gonna want to keep this in, but remember the. That first night you didn't. I slept in your friend's room.

[Alex Earl]

Oh, my gosh. Yes. Yeah. The first night Ashton came to stay with me, actually, I was with a boy, so Ashton had to sleep on my friend's air mattress.

[Ashton]

I slept in my denim miniskirt and my pink bra top, and it was great. I woke up at like 9am still in my outfit. I remember like taking a selfie, being like this is so college, like waking up in my outfit.

[Alex Earl]

College is about. Granted you were the, the room next door though, so.

[Ashton]

No, no, it was chill. I had a great time, I wasn't upset.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, it's okay. Anyhow, I got grounded and in so much trouble because I remember it was that Saturday of parents weekend. We went out I think to like a pool party or a tailgate, whatever during the day and then you nap until probably like 10pm, 11pm and then you wake up and then everyone goes to the clubs Saturday night and I wanted to go out and I wanted to take Ashton to the clubs in Miami and show her what a real club was. I don't think you've been to a club before.

[Ashton]

No, I'd never been clubbing before and.

[Alex Earl]

I was just so excited. And I will say like the first year going to U Miami it was just always, I was always bragging about it because it was just so cool and such a surreal.

[Ashton]

And you were always at the clubs?

[Alex Earl]

I was always at the club.

[Ashton]

You like, you owned the clubs of.

[Alex Earl]

Miami your freshman year, My first semester freshman year, I literally was at the club Tuesday through Sunday night. So anywho, I was really, really adamant about showing Ashton and, and my parents were like do not take your little sister to the club. And I was like I'm not gonna do that, don't worry. And that's why they didn't want Ashton to sleep over at my dorm because they knew I would take her out and they were like we have the trackers on your guys phone. Do not leave the dorm, do not take her to a club, she's too young. And I was like okay, yeah, whatever, I won't take her. Anywho, we wake up at 11pm and I started getting ready to go out and I was like Ashton, just come on. Like it'll be fine, it'll be. And the thing about going out in Miami is you don't have to go out until 1am or 2am or 3am because it just like doesn't really close. So there was really no, there was no rush. I was like, you know what? Once our parents go to bed and they put their phone down and they're not tracking us anymore and they think that we're tucked into my dorm bed sleeping in the twin bed together, let's get ready and let's go to the club. So we got ready. We pre gamed in my dorm with whatever alcohol I had left there and we went out. I think at, we left the Dorms.

[Ashton]

At like 2:00am I think it was like 2:30 maybe. We're like, okay, they're definitely asleep. Like they're not going to know we're going out right now. They'll have no idea.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah.

[Ashton]

Thought our plan was foolproof.

[Alex Earl]

We, we thought that our parents would never know. So it was me, Ashton and my other friend. We went to this club and we were having so much fun. I have to insert the pictures right now and show you guys. Just like, look at us. Little babies in the door.

[Ashton]

No, it was so funny. Alex dressed me. I was like, I don't have any like cool clubbing outfits. So she put me in like this like tight mini dress and her sparkly high heels that were like three sizes too small on me. I just remember my feet being in so much pain the whole night. But I was like, yeah, like, I'm going to a club.

[Alex Earl]

Like, we're having a fun time. I get a text from my dad at probably like 5:30 in the morning because that's when my dad is waking up. And this is the part of the plan that we didn't think through was that we were outside really early, that it's when my parents were waking up. So they woke up and they checked the tracker and they see us at south beach at the club. And my dad was like, get your asses home right now. You're grounded. And I got talked to. Like, my parents sat me down and it was like one of those talks where I like actually felt bad. I was like, I fudged up. I was like, I am a genuinely terrible human being. Like, I should never be allowed out of the house. I shouldn't even be in college. Like, they made me feel so bad about myself. But we were fine. We had so much fun.

[Ashton]

No, I had a great time. No regrets on my end.

[Alex Earl]

And now looking back, it's, it's fine. But like, my parents, I mean, you were way stricter. When I was a freshman in college, I. And I guess being the older child, you always get like the brutal end of the stick of just like whatever. I remember dad was like, if you go out past curfew, I will call the police. I will send a helicopter to the.

[Ashton]

Club to pick you up.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. So he would scare me all the time. And now it's like our parents don't care. Like, think about Isabelle and Penelope going up. They're going to be like, they're going.

[Ashton]

To be clubbing when they're 13.

[Alex Earl]

They're already clubbing. They're going clubbing with us this weekend.

[Ashton]

They're going to the frat parties. I actually took us, Isabelle, to my friend's, like, birthday party last year when they were visiting. It was so cute. It was like a little, just, like, birthday celebration. And then we were going. They were all going to the bars after, and they were like, bring your sister. And I was like, I don't think I should bring her to, like, a bar, like, at night. It was like 11pm I was like, I think we're gonna go. And my friend was like, no, just bring her. Like, I talked to the bouncer. He said she's good. I was like, no, thank you, though. That is the problem with my friends. They're all gonna be like, bring the little kids everywhere. But Isabelle, thank God, was like, I don't wanna go. And I was like, good, because I don't wanna go. And then we had a cute little. She slept over in my room at my college house that night.

[Alex Earl]

Oh, and I love our sleepover.

[Ashton]

We watched Vampire Diaries. And then my roommate came downstairs and they were, like, gossiping. I was like, this is girlhood. I love it. And then we snuggled in my bed and it was great.

[Alex Earl]

Oh, I love when they get to sleep over and do big kid things with us. Because think about, she's in sixth grade right now and she's going to visit, like, colleges. Like, she must be the coolest girl in school.

[Ashton]

Oh, she's definitely the coolest girl in school. If I have anything.

[Alex Earl]

Unless we. We definitely embarrass them a lot. Yeah, we're definitely the embarrassing older sisters, but I don't care. But I actually have to go because I have to get packing. Another thing is, I'm going to vlog. So we're gonna have a little mini vlog in here because I know you guys loved when we used to do, like, travel episodes and vlogs. So we're gonna bring a little vlog element into this weekend, and I'm gonna take you guys all to New Orleans, to Tulane, to Ashton's parents weekend. Yay.

[Ashton]

My last parents.

[Alex Earl]

I have to pack. Let's go to Tulane. Okay, well, I'm actually a big fat liar because I said that I was gonna vlog all of parents weekend, and I didn't. Did not vlog for you guys.

[Ashton]

We actually got no content parents.

[Alex Earl]

Well, honestly, to be fair, it kind of flew by. I was expecting, like, I just. Dealing with our family, it's just. It never goes as planned.

[Ashton]

It's so chaotic all the time. And then it's like we do something we planned and then it's like there's a problem or someone's upset about something or complaining, and then we do something else and then we cancel plans.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. After this, we. We were in New Orleans and then we went to LA with my family. And by the end of this trip, I was like, I don't really want to see you guys for like a while.

[Ashton]

Yeah, actually me and all my friends were talking about that because, like, everyone, obviously, their families were here for parents weekend. My one friend sent me, like, the first dinner her, like the first night her family was here. When they went to dinner, she sent me a picture of her, like, sobbing. And I was like, yeah, I get it. Like, everyone's just like, so excited for parents weekend. And then it's like everyone's here and everyone's like, well, it's just family.

[Alex Earl]

Like, it's like.

[Ashton]

But I do love.

[Alex Earl]

We love each other. There's no problems or anything, but just like with just so much at once. And I'm just like, wait a minute, I need. I need a breather and I need a second from you guys. And it's reminding me right now. I'm watching Tell Me Lies and I'm on the part where the everyone just home for Christmas break from college. And I'm like, why is this just so accurate? Like, everyone goes home and then it's like by like the. The third day home, everyone's texting, then they're like, get me out of here. We started watching this like a month ago or something or whenever it was before Braxton got hurt.

[Ashton]

You started watching it before I started watching it?

[Alex Earl]

It was before Braxton got hurt. But then when Braxton got hurt, his mom came to stay with him and we couldn't really watch it because it's.

[Ashton]

Yeah, it's not really a family friendly show.

[Alex Earl]

I don't really understand. I don't love that every other scene is like, porn. And I'm like, wait, can we.

[Ashton]

I'm just like, I know. It's literally porn. I feel like shows and movies these days, they get like, too in depth with the sex scenes and they last like five minutes. It's like, okay, like, we get it. They're having sex. You don't need to like.

[Alex Earl]

I, like, don't like, show them having sex. Yeah. I don't know. I don't know. But yeah. So we had to stop watching it for a while, but now we're back on it and I think we're on episode eight, seven or eight of season one after this, honestly, I'm probably gonna go back over to Braxton's and just keep binge watching it.

[Ashton]

Yeah, I think you should keep binge watching it because that's when it gets, like. It starts to get really crazy and then it's just.

[Alex Earl]

It's crazy. It's so crazy how well they can depict a toxic relationship. And you, you remind me, okay, anyone who listens to Hot mess and when I say, like, oh, Ashton gets closed off or, like, doesn't show her emotions, the girl, Lucy, and Tell Me Lies is Ashton. Like, when. When I try to, like, get through to her and she's just like, no, no, no.

[Ashton]

She's like a bad person in the show. Don't say that.

[Alex Earl]

Well, not where I'm at. I don't think she's a bad person, but, like, she's just closed off and, like, what is it when her friends are like, oh, trying to be like, he's, like, cheating on you. And she's like, shut the up. Like, don't talk of being like, oh, my God. Wait, what? Like, tell me more details. And I was like, that's so ash encoded.

[Ashton]

Shut up. Wait, do you know they're dating in real life? The actors?

[Alex Earl]

That makes it so much better.

[Ashton]

And they're like, so cute. And he's like, seems so nice in real life and, like, so fun. And I'm like, I still don't trust you. Like, I still don't believe you.

[Alex Earl]

Acting is so cool.

[Ashton]

You're a bad person.

[Alex Earl]

I would. It's crazy. I would love to try acting.

[Ashton]

You could maybe be good at it. You're good at putting on, like, a little show.

[Alex Earl]

I'm gonna take that as a compliment and then continue on. This show is sponsored by Better Help. The New Year's is coming up. We have 2025, which is crazy that it's already 2025, but we have a whole year ahead of us, a blank slate. I love the New Year because I feel like you get to kind of start over, start fresh, set some good goals for yourself. And I think a lot of the times we'll set New Year's resolutions that kind of end up by, like, halfway through January or by the time you get to February, you completely forget about them. But a really, really great way to set resolutions for yourself and help yourself become a better person, work on yourself, is through therapy. And that's something that I did this past year that I really, really loved. I mean, you can think of therapy as like your editorial partner, helping you write new chapters and create the meaningful story you deserve to live. And I love Better Help. It is fully online making therapy affordable and convenient. It's serving over 5 million people worldwide. You can access a diverse network of more than 30,000 credentialed therapists with a wide range of specialties. And you can easily switch at any time with no extra cost. Write your story with better help. Visit betterhelp.com hot mess to get 10 off your first month. That's betterhelp. H-E-L-P.com hot mess what was I gonna say? Have you seen all the wicked press tours that, like, it's just them crying at everything and everyone's like, oh my God.

[Ashton]

But yes, and everyone's making fun of them crying. But I just, I don't know, I kind of love it. Like, Ariana Grande said that was her dream role and she's.

[Alex Earl]

I cry when I watch them and I'm like, this is so crazy.

[Ashton]

I just see people making fun of them crying.

[Alex Earl]

And Cynthia shaved her head for the role.

[Ashton]

She is just an astonishing, amazing person. I'm obsessed with her. Like, she is so devote. I watch so many videos of like, actors talking about their roles. Like, I love like the chicken shop dates and like the hot ones videos where people are always like, they do it before a big movie or something comes out. And they're always talking about their roles and like, their perceptions on acting and everything. And I just think it's so cool and admirable, like how like, obsessed and like into their roles, these people are like. That's also why I'm obsessed with Paul Mezcal. He's in Gladiator 2. He's starring because he's just like, first of all, such a cutesy person and he's gorgeous, but he just like, loves acting so much. Like, he gave up his like, football career to like devote it to acting.

[Alex Earl]

And have you seen Sydney Sweeney who like, did a full transformation for her new role?

[Ashton]

Yes.

[Alex Earl]

That's so cool.

[Ashton]

I do think actors deserve the most credit out of like, anyone in the world. Like, they just, I don't know, they really, they're really cool people.

[Alex Earl]

I don't know. Like, I've gotta say, after seeing how long it takes to film a little commercial skit, that will be 30 seconds. It will take a full 16 hour production day. If I say a line, they have to film it five times from the front, five times from this angle, five times from that angle. And then I was like, wow, this Is I was talking to one of the cameramen on a set that I was on. I was like, this is so crazy how much production goes into such a small thing. And he was like. I was saying, like, I can't even fathom how movies are made and how long it takes to make them and just all, like, what goes on behind the scenes. And he was like, yeah. I mean, like, filming a fight scene in a movie sometimes takes, like, a month long to film. And it's. It's so crazy. Crazy.

[Ashton]

Yeah. I was just. I just watched Paul's hot ones. You know, where they eat the hot wings, which. I want to do that so bad.

[Alex Earl]

I'm determined. Because I'm so stubborn. Yes. I'm just.

[Ashton]

I just want to know if I can do it.

[Alex Earl]

Me, too. I'm like, I. I wouldn't. I wouldn't be choking up like that. Like, I'm like. It's just dramatic.

[Ashton]

No, I would be, like, probably, like, throwing up on the inside, but I'd be like, I'm fine. I'm okay. I need to try it, though. Did you see they also have one where it's like, you can, like, verse people.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah.

[Ashton]

It's either, like, two actors. We should verse each other like Billy. That's what I was gonna say. Billie Eilish and her brother did it against each other. And it's like, they ask them questions, or if they don't want to answer something, they eat, like, one of the death wings. I need to do that.

[Alex Earl]

No, because I'm determined that, like, it wouldn't be that hot.

[Ashton]

Yeah, like, we'd be fine.

[Alex Earl]

But, like, I definitely.

[Ashton]

What I was saying was I had.

[Alex Earl]

A pepper flake on my pad Thai last night and I almost choked.

[Ashton]

No, I'd definitely be, like, throwing up. But what I was saying was I just saw the one with Paul mezcal for Gladiator 2, and he was talking about how, you know, with, like, eating and acting, how they always talk about, like, doing spit takes. Like, that's just so crazy. They, like, eat food, chew it and spit it out so they don't, like, get full because they have to refilm them eating so much. Which I was like, I would never even think of doing that.

[Alex Earl]

Like, I would probably. There's a lot that we don't think about that that goes on behind the scenes. But wait, we got really sidetracked.

[Ashton]

I know. Should we, like, do a little parents weekend recap?

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, I think we should. So the first night. Wait, I don't remember.

[Ashton]

Well, actually, you Came over first because everyone wasn't here yet. But you got here on Thursday and then you came to my house. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. And then. Well, what'd you think of my house? What were your first impressions?

[Alex Earl]

I love Ashton's house. Ashton's house was perfect and amazing and it made me really depressed. And then when the other part one. Oh, just all the college houses in general just make me depressed because when else are you going to be living in a house with, like, six of your best friends? Like, it just. It doesn't happen. And actually, my college friends from Casa More, my senior year house, are staying with me right now. And it's just. It's so nice to be able to walk out into the living room and it's like, who wants to go and walk? Like, one out of the five girls will probably want to go on a walk with you. Or, like, I just. I like not being alone. And it's just. It's so special. And I. I'm like, really? I was really mad going, actually. It put me in a bad mood.

[Ashton]

Alex, the entire weekend, the entire weekend, she's like, can I stay with you longer? I have to come back another weekend. She's like, I miss college so, so much. And then Alex was like, am I being weird? Am I being too much? Because she was like. I was like, no, you're fine.

[Alex Earl]

Well, I was drunk and talking to, like, some of the girls that you're friends with, but, like, not best friends with. So I was like, wait, am I embarrassing myself? And I just was like, this is the best time of your life. Like, live it up. Say yes to everything. I was like, they, like, probably didn't want that prep talk from me, but whatever.

[Ashton]

So funny how, like, everyone says that until. But then you're like, yeah, yeah, yeah, until it actually happens. And then you're like, I want to go back. Yeah, it happened with high school.

[Alex Earl]

Just wait. Just wait.

[Ashton]

I know, I know. So anyway, so you came over Thursday, and then we had a little meeting at my house. Then we went to one of my favorite little spots for brunch, which is Bearcat in New Orleans. If you know, you know. So good.

[Alex Earl]

It was really good. So the first night, we all went to a big family dinner, and it was so much fun. But I mean, even right off the bat, I was like, all right, family, like, let's do a little phone stack. And everyone put their phones, and especially the kids. And Thomas is on the iPad all the time and, like, I'm editing stuff on. I was like, let's just all put our phones down. The family's all together, like, Ruha. And it was like, third. I don't even think we made it 30 minutes without. Everyone's like, the kids start pulling each other's hair out. Everyone's screaming, then they're kicking. Thomas is crying, climbing over each other. And then dad's like, oh, my God, like, like, get them to be quiet. And I was like, okay, maybe everyone just, like, take your phone and be silent.

[Ashton]

No. I was so excited to see everyone, though. And honestly, that was my first time going to that restaurant. What'd you think? It was pretty good, except it took two hours. That's when everyone started to get antsy because it took, like, two hours for our entrees to come out and everyone was already really tired from traveling. And then everyone was like, yeah.

[Alex Earl]

I mean, that's the problem is not. Obviously the adults were fine, but when we do these things with the little kids, it's like there's a point in the night where it's just like, once it's past their bedtime, it's like the monsters come out. So it was, like, past the point of everyone was tired and just cranky from traveling. And then our food wasn't there and everyone just started to get, like, all antsy and dancy. And I think the kids, like, fell asleep at the table. And then we woke them back up.

[Ashton]

Isabelle was falling asleep at the table, but she kept being like, we have to go to Cafe Du Monde after. We have to go. I want beignets. And I was like, okay. But she kept, like, falling asleep. But then she was like, in her sleep, she's like, we need to get beignets. And I was like, okay, no. So we ended up walking.

[Alex Earl]

No, no. Because this next part might be the most triggering part of the whole story is getting my family. You're right. Getting my family. First of all, from the restaurant to the beignet's place was a 10 minute walk. You would have thought that we had asked so simple, our family to walk 85 miles. Like, they were like, let's Uber. That's so far. I was like, guys, it's a 10 minute walk. Like, let's go outside. We just, like, you know, after two, like, a big meal, I'm like, I want to, like, walk.

[Ashton]

Like, I feel I want to walk.

[Alex Earl]

I don't want to or I'm gonna get all, like, gassy and bubbly. I'm like, I need to, like, you know, whatever. It would be like, me and Ashton on one block. My mom was three blocks back. But we lost my mom on that walk to a bar.

[Ashton]

Oh, she just dipped halfway through.

[Alex Earl]

We were like, hey, where's mom?

[Ashton]

She didn't even say bye. She's like, I couldn't walk anymore.

[Alex Earl]

She went to a bar. Then we're halfway through this walk. We're like five minutes there. And. Which really took us like, 20 minutes to get to the five minute point. Actually. My dad's like, where's my phone? My dad was drunk and left his phone at the ice cream shop that they went to. So then they had to go back, and then we all had to walk back. And then it's like, we're walking. I was just like, this has got to be like a joke right now.

[Ashton]

Also. Like, a 10 minute walk on maps is maybe like a 5 minute walk. Like, it's. It's the easiest walk ever. And dad every 30 seconds was like, how much longer? He was like, how much longer? And we took us so long because. Not because the kids were walking slow. We had all the kids. We were two blocks.

[Alex Earl]

It was the adults.

[Ashton]

It was our parents. They were trudging along. So every few steps, me and Alex would stop, wait for them to catch up, and then they'd catch up and we'd all start walking. And then somehow they'd trail behind again. And it took us like, 20 minutes to get there.

[Alex Earl]

And then it'll be like Thomas drops his teddy bear. And we have. I'm just like. It was crazy. So finally, after, like, 45 minutes, we made it to this place. And I was like, you know what? Maybe they were right. Maybe we should have just called an Uber, because this was ridiculous. But the beignets were great.

[Ashton]

They're great. And that's the original location, the Cafe du Monde.

[Alex Earl]

I've never had a beignet. It was really, really good.

[Ashton]

Alex kept calling them Benaise. And I was like, I'm gonna punch you in the face if you keep saying Bennet. But I was just doing.

[Alex Earl]

But then the next day was, oh, and then this was the next. Problem with the next day was we had, like, a brunch planned. Then we wanted to go to a zoo, and then we wanted to go bowling.

[Ashton]

I tried to plan things because usually the only thing you plan are, like, dinners and lunches. And then it's like we're just eating the whole time. So I try to plan events because I don't want everyone to just be sitting around like, what are we doing? And then, you know, it just.

[Alex Earl]

I Mean, nothing ever works out. Like, yeah, again, just another time of like, we would have two hours in between each of these events and it was like everyone was late.

[Ashton]

It takes anyone two hours.

[Alex Earl]

We went to brunch and then it was like we could have just easily hopped over to the zoo, but for some reason no one wore clothes that they could wear to the zoo to brunch. So then every, everyone went home, got changed and we were like, oh, everyone will take five minutes to get changed.

[Ashton]

Took everyone like, well, this is also your fault because. Oh, well, then all of a sudden everyone's ready to walk out the door and Alex is like, wait, guys, I have a 30 minute meeting.

[Alex Earl]

Well, because you just wait for me. My meeting was scheduled for when we were coming back from the zoo, but we were so late that the meeting was by the time we were heading out the door to go to the zoo. So then I had to hold everyone up 30 more minutes and then we got to the zoo. Ashton didn't even come to the zoo?

[Ashton]

Well, no, at that point I was not gonna lie. I was.

[Alex Earl]

She was like, I'm done with all of that.

[Ashton]

I was just like, I need a nap. I was like, I need a nap before going out with everyone again.

[Alex Earl]

So it's Ashton's family weekend. We're all there to visit Ashton. We get to the zoo, Ashton's not there. The zoo's closed.

[Ashton]

Actually, the zoo, the zoo's like two minutes from my house and you guys got there before me and you said it was closed. So then I was like, okay, I'm not leaving. And then I fell asleep. So, yeah, you guys ended up going through really quick.

[Alex Earl]

Yes. So basically we got to the zoo and they were like, we're closed. Like, tickets are done for the day. Like the, it was, it was like 4:45 and the zoo closed at 5 and they were like, we're not selling tickets. Like, we're closing down. Then our family came through like a wrecking ball. And I think Ashley like, was like, please just like, we'll run through, like, whatever. And then they were like, okay. So they let us through. It was actually the prettiest zoo I've ever seen in my life.

[Ashton]

But I actually, apparently it's like one of the, the top zoos in America.

[Alex Earl]

I don't, apparently I don't like zoos, but is that zoo?

[Ashton]

I honestly, I kind of feel like.

[Alex Earl]

I, I'm very pro, like animals and whatever. So I'm a little bit.

[Ashton]

Yeah, I don't think zoos in general are Very pro animal.

[Alex Earl]

I.

[Ashton]

Unless they're like a, I don't know, rehabilitation type of zoo.

[Alex Earl]

So, yeah, I don't know. Zoos. The kids really loved, like, the animals and zoos, and Thomas loves them. But, like, I get stressed out because I feel like it's. The animals should be free kind of sad. So, yeah, anyhow, we ran through this zoo like, we sprinted 145 miles per hour. It was like we just ran past every exhibit. And it was like. By the end, I was like, we don't. Like, you know what I mean? I'm like, we don't need to see everything in the zoo. Like, let's just do the lap. Obviously, that was not an option for our family because they were like, we have to hit every corner of this zoo, every acre. And I was. By the end, I was. Was dying. Penelope was dripping in sweat. And, yeah, it's still hot here, which is crazy.

[Ashton]

Yeah, it's gross hot, too. It's different than Miami heat. It's, like, muggy. What's the word? Humid.

[Alex Earl]

The zoo was great, though. Great experience.

[Ashton]

I think for graduation weekend, we have to book a swamp tour.

[Alex Earl]

That's what I want to do. Alligators, I want to do that.

[Ashton]

They take you around on those little boats, and they see all the alligators, like, through the swamps. And I've never done one, so, like, I want to do it.

[Alex Earl]

I would really.

[Ashton]

Thomas would love it.

[Alex Earl]

I would really love to do that. So for graduation, we have to make that happen, and we have to book off a whole day in advance so that our family can get there.

[Ashton]

Yes.

[Alex Earl]

And then this night was my favorite place that we went. It was this bowling alley that was also a bar, also live music, also, like, an arcade with games, also food.

[Ashton]

Like.

[Alex Earl]

Like, I could have stayed there all night. I never need to leave there. I loved it.

[Ashton]

I love rock and bowl. And I was really, really glad I had that idea, because a lot of parents weekend is, like, kids going to bars with their parents. And I was like, obviously, the little kids are here, and that's not really gonna fly. So I was like, what can we do that? Like, all my friends can be at with their parents, have fun, have drinks that the kids can also do. And I was like, oh, my God. My favorite place, Rock and bowl. And so I booked, like, a little, like, party through them, and I invited, like, all my friends and their families, and they gave us, like, little snacks, too, which was so fun, because I love snacks. But, yeah, we rented out some bowling lanes Friday night, and I had so Much fun.

[Alex Earl]

I loved it, too. And it was kind of like a. They were very relaxed. Like, they did not be, like, put on.

[Ashton]

That was super chill.

[Alex Earl]

They're like, no, don't put on bullying shoes.

[Ashton]

Oh, no, I wouldn't. So you bowl in your heels. It's great.

[Alex Earl]

So this is where things started to get a little tricky again with my family, because now it's like, we have bowling balls involved with the kids with a competition. The Earls were. We're sometimes sore losers.

[Ashton]

And, like, wait, no. Even before this, though. This is really funny. I don't know if you saw this. Thomas, like, picked up a bowling ball, and he's, like, walking over to the lane, and I, like, whip out my phone to take a video. I'm like, thomas, you're so cute with the bowling ball. Like, just, like, looking at him, I'm like, oh, he's so cute. And Ashley runs over. She's like, he's gonna drop it on his foot. And I was like. Didn't realize the ball was, like, slipping out of his hands. And I was like, oh, Thomas, you're so cute. And she was like, he almost just dropped that. And I was like, oh, my God.

[Alex Earl]

I. I don't know how they were picking up the bowling balls, because I could barely pick up these bowling balls. And so Thomas, basically. I don't know how they didn't, like, like, put a hole through the floor, because the little kids were just, like, picking it up with their two arms and slamming it down, and he would throw it, and the one time it went over the bumpers and, like, would get stuck on the lane. And then again, it started to get late, so they started to get cranky. And then Thomas is a really sore loser. We love Thomas, but he just, like. He's a youngest child syndrome, where you're just, like, babied and loved. Like, he does not do well with losing. Like, we would play Candyland, and, like, when he was a super, super little. Like, a little baby, and he. If he lost, it was like the board was getting torn in half. So I think it was like Penelope and Thomas were, like, competing or something. And then it's like the one of them, like, went to, like, throw the bowling ball at the other, and I was like, all right, let's, like, settle it down on the lane here.

[Ashton]

Take it down a notch.

[Alex Earl]

Then the other lane is all of us adults, and Todd, like, pulled his hamstring or something. All of a sudden, I look over, Todd's in a split, and then he's like, ow. Ow. Ow.

[Ashton]

I wish I saw this. All my friends were like, yeah, I don't know if I thought Todd was doing, like, some fancy bowling move. Like, he just went and he was like. I don't even know. He, like, tensed up and was like. He, like, what, he pulled his hamstring or something?

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, he got, like, stuck in, like a split or something. And, like, I didn't hear it, but mom and everyone said that they heard like a pop. And he was, like, kind of freaking out and he was like, my leg is numb. And he was, like, starting to get really nervous. So then I was getting nervous and I was like, here's water. We got him, like, an ice bag. I was like, can our family.

[Ashton]

Didn't you call Braxton too?

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, so then I called Braxton because obviously Braxton knows about all the different type of, like, injuries that can happen or what to do, because I was like, do we need to take him to the hospital? He was freaking out. So then Braxton, like, calmed him down on the phone and Braxton was like, yeah, he definitely, like, tore his hamstring. But, like, you can still, like, walk and like it. There's nothing really you can do about that. So. Yeah, we're just a hazard anywhere we go.

[Ashton]

You can't take us anywhere.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. And then that night we ended up going out together and I ended up.

[Ashton]

Yeah, mom and Todd came for a little bit too. You got so drunk.

[Alex Earl]

I blacked out. I blacked out.

[Ashton]

That was Joe's fault. It's always Joe's fault. No, it's not. I love Joe. He's perfect.

[Alex Earl]

Well, all the parents and everyone's like, lemon drop shots, green tea shots. Like, I forget that they're so sugary. And also alcohol. And I'm just like, oh, this fun little game.

[Ashton]

Yeah. Welcome back to college.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, I was. But yeah, not feeling good.

[Ashton]

The next morning, all my friends and their parents and their siblings ended up going to this rooftop bar that we love Friday night. And we had a time. Alex met some of my other friends that weren't at bowling. And we took way too many shots. And Alex was going cross eyed by the end of the night. I had to, like, walk her to the elevator. I was like, okay, pookie, time to get home.

[Alex Earl]

I know. And like, in the moment, I remember Ashton walking.

[Ashton]

I miss college.

[Alex Earl]

I love it. Ashton always says that there's, like a point where, like, my eyes, you guys know I always talk about, like, my just. My drunk eyes are just lights on. I have a drink and like, something in My eyes, they just, like, loosen. Like, my eyelids, they, like.

[Ashton]

They loosen.

[Alex Earl]

I don't know how to explain it.

[Ashton]

But, like, start just going in different directions.

[Alex Earl]

Like, my eyes are always so telling. Like, you'll know if I had a drink just by looking at my eyes. And then Ashton always says there's, like, a point in the night where it's like, lights on. No one's home for me.

[Ashton]

Mm.

[Alex Earl]

And I'm not good at. I'm just monitoring that myself.

[Ashton]

No, that's because the lights are on, but no one's home. So you don't know, but you just kind of, like, sometimes you go, like, silent, and you just kind of, like, stand there and, like, look around with your googly eyes. And I'm like. And she's just like. Like, just kind of swaying back and forth, just, like, looking but, like, silent. I've seen this a few times and I'm like, okay, time for Alex to hit the hay.

[Alex Earl]

I don't know. I'm a pretty functional, like, drunk, though.

[Ashton]

Because I know you, like, are functional.

[Alex Earl]

I went out this past weekend and I was, like, with all my girlfriends, and there's, like, just a certain point in the night where I, like, I don't remember a thing after. And I'm like, my friends were like, oh, my God, I didn't even, like, know you were that drunk. But, like, there's, like, some of my friends who. It's like, you need to be, like, wheelchaired out once you've had a few drinks. So I'm. I'm pretty good. I always get home, I always have my bag, my purse, my wallet, and I'm always safe, sound, and I call Braxton before I go to bed. All those things always happen.

[Ashton]

She's such a good girl. Sometimes she just doesn't remember how they happen, though.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. But sometimes I'm like. I always wake up and I'm like, oh, no, is my purse here? It's always there. I'm like, is my phone here? Did I call Braxton? I checked my call log. I'm like. Like, I'm doing all the things I need to do. It's just like. I don't know where my brain is for these activities, but I'm pretty functioning.

[Ashton]

Your brain was just taking a nap.

[Alex Earl]

She was logging off for a little.

[Ashton]

Bit the next day. Saturday was game day, so we had to be a bright and early and.

[Alex Earl]

Oh, I wanted to die.

[Ashton]

I was also pretty hungover. Yeah, I was pretty hungover that day. Yeah. Then everyone came to mind for a little bit we met up, and then we went to my other friend's house because they had had all their parents over as, like, a pre game before the frats for the tailgates.

[Alex Earl]

Well, we went to the tailgates, which was very fun, and in the backyard of these frat houses. And I will say, our little sister Penelope is going to be the life of the party. And we've known this since she's been little, but she was standing on the, like, little surface in the middle of this tailgate.

[Ashton]

It was like, a little bench in the middle. And I. She kept, like, dancing, and I was like, penelope, like, are you okay? Like, I know, like, dad and Thomas are, like, in the front. Like, do you. Do you want to, like, go back up with them? She's like, no, I want to stay. I want to party. All my friend. All my guy friends were like, your sister's so cool. And I was like, I know.

[Alex Earl]

Our other siblings were by the food truck in the front, sitting in, like, a quiet corner. Then they left early. Penelope was, like, up there dancing on the platform, like, having the time of her life. And I was like, I think she brought the party. She did, because the party was kind of, like.

[Ashton]

It was very, like, chill, just because it was a lot of, like, parents standing around, around, you know, and they tried to, like, class it up a little bit for the parents.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. They were playing, like, throwback music, and it was definitely not, like, when I was there for Mardi Gras. I will say, those were, like, two different ends of the spectrum.

[Ashton]

Yeah.

[Alex Earl]

But, yeah, my little sister Penelope, I'm pretty sure was the life of this frat party. Then we danced, and then it was raining, so we didn't go to the game. And honestly, probably my favorite night that we all had was we all went. Which you slept through this again. Like, Ashton slept through all of the things we're supposed to do for parents weekend.

[Ashton]

Yeah. I think it was just a culmination of everything I've been doing for the past month had really started to catch up to me, and I was so, so tired. And I do feel this. I don't know if this is a bad thing. I feel very, very drained sometimes when I spend time with our family. Too much.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, you were getting, like. You were getting, like, cranky cranky. And I was like, why are you.

[Ashton]

I know.

[Alex Earl]

Such a. And you were like, I'm not. You were yelling at me again, like.

[Ashton]

Lucy, I do notice that sometimes I get, like, snappier when I'm, like, with our family for too Long. Well, honestly, only around our family, I'm always the most, like, optimistic friend of my friend group. Whenever it's like, everyone's like, oh, like, I don't know if I want to do this or that or, like, being Debbie Downers, I'm like, no, come on, like, let's have fun, let's be happy, let's be positive, like, everything's great, blah, blah, blah. But then I don't know what it is about our family that, like, takes it out of me sometimes. I think also the fact that I was, like, technically hosting everyone too, so.

[Alex Earl]

I. I could tell Ashton was.

[Ashton]

I get anxious.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, she's not. Ashton's not a good host. Love you so much. But, like, I could tell that she was getting stressed out about, like, our family. And the plans kept changing and, like, she was just getting, like, really snappy and I was like, ashton, like, reel it back. So then that night, and actually when we're going to the game because everyone's like, should we go to the game? Should we not? Whatever. I literally was like, everyone, shut the up. I'm ordering Subway. Sit down. Peace and quiet. Because there's just. With our family, there's just so much. So many people and so many different voices.

[Ashton]

It's so hard to, like, get everyone together.

[Alex Earl]

So I. I was like, this is what we're doing. Sit down. We're not going to the game. No one's going to enjoy going to the game. The little kids are going to be complaining. We're ordering our Subway. We're eating it, we're sitting down. And then I was like, let's all go back to my apartment. I got everyone out. Or not my apartment, but my hotel room. I. We left Ashton at her house alone, sleeping, because I was like, she's being a. And then I. I took the little girls to my room and we had a little girls night. We showered, we took a bath, and then we ordered Chinese food. So then, like, mom, or not mom, dad, but Ashley, Dad, Thomas, Isabel, Penelope, all came to my hotel room and we all had Chinese food and we watched some cartoon movie. I forget what it was. It was about, like, a cat. And we had, like, the best night just chilling in bed together. Without you.

[Ashton]

No, I actually did have fomo. I. I was. I was planning on coming over, but I wanted to shower first and, like, put on pajamas before I came. And I was waiting on my bed because my roommate was showering in our bathroom. So I was waiting on my bed and I fell asleep face down on my bed with My cowboy boots on, waiting to shower. And then I woke up out and it was like 6 or 6:30 when you guys left to go back to the hotel. And I Woke up at 11:30 and I was like, whoa. I was like, what happened? And then I was awake for an hour and then I went back to sleep and slept for like nine hours. That's how you know, I was, was. I was not okay. I was drained.

[Alex Earl]

I also really thought that you weren't gonna come on our flight to LA the next morning. It was an hour before our flight. You're like, I didn't pack yet. I was like, oh, God. She's like in some type of rut and she's just at the airport before all of you. I know, but I didn't know. And even at the airport you were so snappy. I was like, where are you? Like, let's meet up at the airport. And she's like, at the airport. I was like, well, yeah, but where? And like, I was just like, that.

[Ashton]

Wasn'T being snappy, that was just me.

[Alex Earl]

Being like, she was cranky, she was crank. And then, see, this is what I.

[Ashton]

Hate too, because Alex is always like, you're so cranky. You're so cranky. And I'm like, I'm not. But now I am because you're bothering me about it so much and now I hate you.

[Alex Earl]

Sorry, that is annoying that I do that. You're right.

[Ashton]

And you say it over and you're like, you're so cranky. And then you say to the whole family, Ashton's being cranky. And I'm like, well, now I'm pissed. It's like when someone says, like, oh, are you on your period? And like, you actually are. And you're like, fuck off. You know?

[Alex Earl]

Anyhow, continuing on this next flight to la, I thought that we were all going to die. I genuinely thought, okay, oh my God, our whole family line is going to be discontinued because we're all going to die on this flight.

[Ashton]

That's. That's what I was thinking about because so for context, we were all flying from New Orleans to LA together on Sunday. And it's my mom, her boyfriend Todd, my dad, Ashley, the three little kids, Alex and I, every single one person in our family on this flight. And it's which I was already thinking about this before we got on the flight because my roommate's dad was saying this because her, her parents flew in separately. And I was like, oh, why'd they fly in separately? And she was like, oh, like, they have this weird thing about both being on flights together just because they have, like, a history with, like. Like, planes going down. And it's like, you know, at least there'll be one parent.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, it's.

[Ashton]

Which is really sad and cryptic to bring up.

[Alex Earl]

That's really scary. But anyhow, yeah, like, she just explained.

[Ashton]

That to me before this flight we got on, so I was like. That was prevalent in my mind.

[Alex Earl]

I never get anxious flying because I fly every other day. Like, I live on airplanes. Especially, like, a big commercial flight. It's just like, it really never scares me. It really doesn't. And we are now, like, like, three and a half hours into this flight. We're not the, like, landing, coming up or going down. So it was like, you know, this the time of the flight when it's just steady, smooth sailing. The flight attendants were in the middle of the aisle with their carts handing out drinks. And all of a sudden, I thought that we landed because it was like, boom. Like, it. It felt like we, like. Yeah, we hit a wall. The flame.

[Ashton]

The girl with the cart in the middle, she, like, flew into someone's seat. Like, the cart went.

[Alex Earl]

The flight attendants start screeching, like, ah. And obviously when they freak out, because, like, you know when something happens on a flight and you, like, look to the flight attendant, and I'm like, are you okay with this?

[Ashton]

Just like.

[Alex Earl]

She was.

[Ashton]

Because they're always just like, chill.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. She was screaming, and I was like. And all of a sudden, they, like, got on the microphone and they were like, everyone in your seats. Like, whatever. And the flight was like this. Like, just everyone was going like this. Everyone's heads were bobbling, and it was like. Like, for what, like, 30 seconds to a minute?

[Ashton]

Yeah, well, it was really bad for, like, 15 seconds. And then it was like, it took maybe, like, a minute to, like, fully.

[Alex Earl]

Stabilize again in the moment that this is all going down. I'm sitting here and I'm thinking, oh, my God. Oh, my God, oh, my God. Like, we're going down. Like, something's happening. I look out the window because I was freaking out. So I opened up the window. I was like, where are we? And we were over mountains, which scares me even more because, like, say we had to, like, emergency land. Like, you can't. Can't really do that on a mountain. You know what I mean? Like, you need flat land. So I was like, oh, my God. Oh, my God.

[Ashton]

I think that's, like, where the weird wind comes from. Like.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah.

[Ashton]

So from, like, the difference.

[Alex Earl]

Nonetheless, this is all happening. And I'm thinking, oh, my God, like, maybe this is like. Like God put us all on this plane together so that, like, we could all go out together to suffer.

[Ashton]

Like, I. I literally was so horrible to think of.

[Alex Earl]

I know. So I'm. I don't know, Whatever. So I'm. I'm like really freaking out on this flight. And then all of a sudden it stops. And they were like. So we just experienced some, like, clear air turbulence. And I'm thinking, what is clear a turbulence? Because, like, I'm used to the jelly story where I'm like, we're in jelly. We can't go down.

[Ashton]

Yeah.

[Alex Earl]

So I Google clear air turbulence, and it's like a storm in the sky basically, that you can't see. So hence, like the clear air. And every photo I see online of clear air turbulence is like the face mask down, the seats are dislocated, people are upside down. And I'm like.

[Ashton]

I was like, well, thank God that we were okay. And like, I.

[Alex Earl]

But like, for the rest of. That's crazy.

[Ashton]

I didn't know that.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. So for the rest of the flight, I was so shaken up, like, I wouldn't stop shaking. It was the worst, like, hour and a half of a flight I've ever. Like, I was just. I don't know, it was so scary. And I really never get scared flying. And it was just every, like, possibility was going through my mind. But we're okay. Thank God. But I don't know. I really didn't like that. I really was scared.

[Ashton]

Ashley was freaking out. She texted. She immediately whips out her phone.

[Alex Earl]

Ashley basically every day.

[Ashton]

She texted my grandma. She. She was saying goodbye to everyone. She texted the kids, babysitter. She texted everyone. She texted your publicist. She was like. I was like, we're going.

[Alex Earl]

We just. We just hit turbulence. How did you already sign off to everyone? I was like. She was like, she's quick with it.

[Ashton]

Ready to be done.

[Alex Earl]

But one thing about Ashley is she will get it done. Like I said, like, the zoo was closed. She was like, we're getting in that zoo. Like, if we were going down, like, Ashley would have had like a helicopter, like on the way up with life vests. Like, before we even were like, close to going to the ground. Like, Ashley will get shit done. So, like, I really appreciate that about her, but she is a little bit, like, freaked out, neurotic.

[Ashton]

She was saying her goodbyes.

[Alex Earl]

Do you remember in the beginning of COVID when this was, like, we first got sent home for Covid it was still called like Corona at this point. And we. She made us wear hazmat suits in the house.

[Ashton]

Oh my God.

[Alex Earl]

Like, guys, I kid you not, like a full blown.

[Ashton]

Like, she bought hazmat suits.

[Alex Earl]

Like, suits head to toe. We were covered in a hazmat suit. And I was like.

[Ashton]

And this was still like, before we even knew how bad covet was. This is before that. No, this was like hazmat.

[Alex Earl]

This was. Yeah. I don't even know how to explain it. This was like pre.

[Ashton]

Like, this was like one case. Yeah, they found like one case in New Jersey and she was like, buys hazmat suits.

[Alex Earl]

She stocked up. Like, our basement looked like we were going into a zombie apocalypse. We had had 8, 000 cans of ramen noodles.

[Ashton]

She bought like non perishable foods. Like, I don't know what she was thinking. Like, but that was so fun. I told her one thing about Ashley.

[Alex Earl]

Is she's gonna figure it out. And she's also gonna be the most freaked out at all times.

[Ashton]

Yeah, she's gonna do the most is what she's gonna do.

[Alex Earl]

She's gonna be doing the most. But honestly, it makes me feel like, safe. Like if. If any situation were to be happening, I would like to be with Ashley. I had to act calm, cool, and collected because I had like, Isabelle next to me, my younger sister who's 12. And I was like, yeah, I know, I know. She's probably so scared right now, and if she looks at me and sees that I'm scared. So I was like. I was like, I was like tightening her seatbelt. I was like, it's okay, it's okay. And then I felt bad because the girl next to me was not a part of our family and like, the only person in like three rows that wasn't our family. And she was like.

[Ashton]

And so you know when you're like holding hands?

[Alex Earl]

You know when you're like next to a stranger and like, there's turbulence and you're looking at them like, what are you thinking right now? Like, are you freaking out? And she was like, definitely freaking out. And she was like, can we put up the window? And I was like, yes. And I was like, you're now part of the family. But yeah, so that was like a really scary flight. And I feel like I really never have scary flights or scary stories like that. But not to make anyone nervous for the girls who write in that are saying they're anxious flyers, but I was a little terrified for my life in that moment.

[Ashton]

I remember we Walked off, and Ashley was like. To the pilot, she's like, thank you.

[Alex Earl]

I want to know. Like, I don't know. Actually. I don't want to know. But, yeah, I mean, I'm getting on a flight tomorrow, so it's got to be fine.

[Ashton]

It is fine.

[Alex Earl]

It's fine. It's fine. Let's just not think about it.

[Ashton]

That was also Isabel's birthday. So we went to go to a birthday dinner. We had planned, like, a birthday dinner in LA for her because it was her birthday. We, me and Alex get there, like, five minutes after my parents and the kids got there. Isabelle's already sleeping on the bench at the table. And we're like, what is the point of even doing this dinner? She slept through the entire birthday dinner. And I think we only went to that restaurant because they have, like, a really fun birthday dessert. Right? Is that what you were saying?

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. I don't know.

[Ashton]

So we didn't get to do that.

[Alex Earl]

I miss everyone already.

[Ashton]

Excited for Thanksgiving, excited for Thanksgiving next week.

[Alex Earl]

We're all gonna.

[Ashton]

I just booked my flight nights yesterday, and I was like, oh, my God, I'm leaving on Thursday.

[Alex Earl]

I know.

[Ashton]

I'm coming to Miami.

[Alex Earl]

I didn't realize it's already the middle of November. Wait, when did that happen? I thought it was just like, Halloween's about to happen. I just. I'm already prepared that it's, like, gonna be 2025 by tomorrow.

[Ashton]

This is what happens. This is what happens. It's always, like, once the holidays start. Everything goes by in, like, a week, because we have, like, four main holidays so close to each other, so it's like you always have something kind of, like, going on and you're thinking about, and it just goes by so quickly. Like, I feel like, spread out, like Halloween, like Thanksgiving, like Christmas, Hanukkah time, New Year's. Like, spread it out a little bit. Let us savor it, you know?

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. But then what we did in la, that was really fun as we went to Dancing with the Stars, and I basically dragged my whole family there with me because I was like, I'm such a fan of the show. And we are all going.

[Ashton]

And no, I was so excited.

[Alex Earl]

The little kids, like, didn't even know what was going on. Thomas is like, where are we? And it was like, like, obviously two hours that it's like you're being filmed, so you can't, like, leave or do anything. And Thomas was, like, sleeping in the back.

[Ashton]

It was so funny. The cameraman would be, like, right next to us recording the Audience next to us, and you just hear Thomas, Thomas going, daddy, I'm tired. We're like, thomas. Because it's like they film it live and they, like, get clips of, like, people in the audience. And, like, they're also like, you know. You know, clap.

[Alex Earl]

It was so fun to see. It was so fun to see.

[Ashton]

Isabelle and Penelope were, like, standing there. I was like, guys, like, I'm like, are you having fun? They're like, yeah, this is so cool. I'm like, clap and smile. They're so cute.

[Alex Earl]

Our family's standing there like zombies in the back. It was so fun.

[Ashton]

It was a long week for us. But, yeah, that. I loved it so much. Everyone was so good. I don't understand how they do that.

[Alex Earl]

I was thinking that too, because I was like, wait a minute. I always thought, like, oh, I used to be a dancer. Like, you know, I could maybe do this. And I was watching what they were doing, and I was like, I don't know if I could do that. Like, that's crazy that people that aren't dancers are getting out there and, like, performing these whole dances, memorizing it. And then they did, like, the instant dance. And I was. I was very shocked.

[Ashton]

Oh, the instance dance was crazy. It was the 500th episode of Dancing with the Stars. So they did this new thing that they've never done before was like, like the instant dance. And I guess each team knew of, like, four different types of dance. It could be that they had to prepare for anything. And then they didn't know what song.

[Alex Earl]

On the spot, so they didn't know, like, what beat or tempo to do it at.

[Ashton]

Yeah. So on the spot, they got the song and the dance, and then they had to, like, run, pick their costume change. And they had, like, three minutes, I think, to rehearse the dance before they did it in front of everyone. And they all did so well. I thought it was going to be a mess because they were like, we don't know how this is going to be.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, wait. I was expecting it to be, like. Everyone was like, not.

[Ashton]

This is going to be a disaster.

[Alex Earl]

Everyone was doing so well. And I was like, how is everyone doing this right now?

[Ashton]

No, it was legitimately impressive. Especially, I feel like the athletes that you would just not expect to be good dancers. They all killed it.

[Alex Earl]

And we met Steven, who obviously is perfect. They brought him over because they knew I wanted to meet him. And I was like, I think that's the actual first person that I've ever asked to, like, meet or be introduced to because like I just would never do that. But like I literally was just like freaking out. I was like, hey. And I was just so awkward. But yeah, I think that's the first person that I've asked to be introduced to or to meet in any situation that I've ever been in is Steven. Because I.

[Ashton]

No, he's also. He's literally Thomas. Did you see that TikTok that someone posted? And they were like, we always say.

[Alex Earl]

That Thomas it is. We were like, Steven is Thomas 20 years. And it, they are, they're the same person.

[Ashton]

And every time Stephen came out, Thomas was like, oh my God, that's me. I was like, it's you, Thomas.

[Alex Earl]

Oh my God.

[Ashton]

Which is why I thought it was so funny that someone made a TikTok of that. Cuz I was like, yep, they are spot on.

[Alex Earl]

We were crying at the end of him and Riley's dance, their waltz. We were crying. I looked over at Ashton, she was crying and I was crying too.

[Ashton]

And I was like, are you crying? I'm crying. I was like, yeah, wiping my tears.

[Alex Earl]

Well, I'm gonna kick you off and do a few. What would Alex do? And then we will see you guys next week.

[Ashton]

Okay, Love you.

[Alex Earl]

Love you, bye. The New Balance 1080 is the ultimate daily trainer combining reliable comfort with top tier performance. I love New Balance sneakers. I mean for the girls who are running, good for you. I'm not a runner. I'm probably more so wearing these like the coffee shop or the grocery store. But The New Balance 1080 features a cushion midsole for secure support and comfort. It's lightweight, breathable and it is good for an everyday on the run, on the go shop. The 1080@New Balance.com Help. I like this guy a lot, but I don't know if I'm ready to be in a relationship yet. Like I genuinely am stressing over the fact that he's going to ask me to be his girlfriend soon. What should I do? Okay, I think this is a very relatable what would Alex do question for me because I have been there, been in that position and I have been on both ends of the spectrum. I feel like in college I kind of would just like be like, oh, okay, like we'll date. Like just because I didn't really know what to do and I was like, oh, we're hanging out. But I really didn't want to date. But I also like didn't care to see anyone else. So I was like, I was confusing myself. And then that's with Braxton is we were talking for nine months before we officially were, like, label on it. Dating, committed. And partially, that was my fault because I had a little bit of just. I was in a little bit of denial. I was like, I don't really like him. Or not that I don't really like him. I was like, I don't really want a boyfriend. Like, I just. I'm not gonna do this. Like, I really don't want a boyfriend. I was so dead set on, like, I don't want a boyfriend. And then I was hanging out with him every day and whatever. And honestly, with Braxton, that was the first time that I just, like, told him. I was like, I really like hanging out with you. I was like, I'm just kind of stressed about, like, this label or I don't know why. I feel like it's gonna, like, mentally stress me out or, like, change something in my mind, and I don't want it to, like, things are going so well. And he was like, okay, well, you just let me know, like, when you're ready, I'm here. Like, I like hanging out with you. Like, we'll just continue hanging out, and if it works out. If it works out. If it doesn't, it doesn't. And I think, like, me getting that off my chest and saying that to him alleviated so much stress. Because right now, you're probably just so worried, like, oh, my God, like, whatever. And it's probably getting in your head and messing with you, figuring out if you actually, like, really, really like this guy or do want to be with him or don't want to be with him. So I would just let him know, like, where your head is at. It's always better to just be open and honest is what I've learned. And I think if he really likes you and likes hanging out with you, and, I mean, I don't know, like, what really the rush is to date if someone isn't ready, besides the fact of it can feel to the other person, like, ooh, like, they don't like me. Because I guess as girls, like, we've seen it on the other end, too, where guys, like, I don't want to date or whatever, but, like, I think, you know, you could clarify, like, are you seeing other people or not? Or is it just, like, the label that's stressing you out? Because, like, personally, me, I was in therapy. There was some personal stuff that I had to work through, and he just kind of let me take that time and figure it out for Myself, and he was very understanding of that. So I would say to you, whatever your personal thing is, and maybe it's just that, like, you don't know each other that well yet. Because I do think that there's some guys that want to rush into a relationship, and it's just. I kind of think it's like an immature thing to do is like, I don't know. There's some people that you know each other for, like, a week or two, and then you start dating, which is also fine. But that was just not really my speed or how I wanted to, like, go about things. I was like, I would rather, like, really get to know this person before, like, committing to dating someone. Because I think when you're, like, really closed off to someone, it's. It's an important, special thing. I didn't want to just date someone just to say, like, I was dating someone, you know, Like, I want to date someone that I could truly, like, see myself being with for, you know, a long amount of time or not breaking up ever, you know? So I would say just be honest with him. And I think if it's only been, like, a month or so of you hanging out, I feel like that's, like, reasonable for you to be like, I just, like, want to keep hanging out, getting to know each other. Like, I don't want to commit to anything yet. If you're more in the range of. It's leaning, like, five, six months. I think that's a point where, like, he probably is like, why have we not, like, solidified this yet? And I think if that's something that stresses you out for whatever personal reason, you just have to tell him and be honest and let him know. And I think honesty is the best policy. It's always going to go over better. You're always going to feel better, and then you don't have to, like, be worried and feel guilty of, like, oh, my God, I don't know what he's thinking. What is your opinion on men in a relationship watching only fans? Should they be doing that slash allowed? Is it right for me and my friends to be bothered by this? Okay, I don't know if this is a hot take, but this is what. Alex would do that for me. I think only fans is different than, like, porn, which I don't. How have we said that word on here so many times this episode? I just feel like if you're, like, subscribing to, like, one person and, like, personally paying to watch one person, like, that feels wrong and to Me, like, I would just. I would not allow that or like that. So I don't know. I don't know if it's, like, I think it's relationships. It's. Go with whatever you feel with. If that's bothering you, then it's bothering you. And, you know, you don't need to, like, have this whole big justification, like, for me, if I found out that Braxton was subscribed to OnlyFans, like, I would punch him in the face and break up with him. But that's just me, you know? So, yeah, do whatever makes you feel good. Hey, Alex, what would you do if you really didn't want to live with your best friend after college, but don't want to hurt her feelings by saying no to her? I love her. We're just better as friends than roommates. Oh, my God. The roommate thing is always so tricky. Like, that's just never. It's never gonna be easy conversation. I'm not gonna lie. It's never gonna be fun. It's. It's never a good feeling when you, like, you don't want to live with someone and they want to live with you, and you're like, But I feel like if this is your best friend and this is a true best friend, then you can be honest with her. And I always say, like, my best friends, like, we can on each other. We tell each other our flaws, and, like, at the end of, we're like sisters. You know what I mean? Like, at the end of the day, we're not gonna get hurt. And I did have. So I had this happen with some friends after college where they kind of went through the same thing of, like. Like, maybe they live together in college, but they didn't live together after college. And it's like, they're best friends. And I will say these girls are still best friends, but they did have to go through that hard part of having that honest conversation of, like, hey, I love you so much, but I really don't think that we would be good roommates. Like, personally, this is a decision for me. I don't want to live together. Has nothing to do. Well, I mean, I guess it does have to do with them, but, like, I would just be honest. Like, maybe they're a disaster and a mess. Like, I would be completely understanding if Chris and was like, hey, I don't want to live with someone who keeps their room. Like, a tornado just went off in there. I'd be like, that's so fair, and you definitely shouldn't live with me. Then because that's how my room is at all states and all times. The living room, I try to keep a little bit better, but it's just like me, clutter and a mess follows. So, you know what? If she said that to me, I would be like, all right, let's check myself. And I would know that that is okay. And she does not need to live with me if that is not what she's looking for.

[Ashton]

For.

[Alex Earl]

Honestly, she's probably not looking for that, but she hasn't told me. She hasn't told me that it bothers her yet. So there's different reasons why people don't want to live with one another. And I think you just have to, like, be honest with her, and if she's being realistic and honest with you, she will accept it and admit to it and, like, take it and suck it up. And I don't know. I mean, it is different, I guess, of, like, are you going to be living with other girls or you want to live alone? It's probably seeming like you want to live with other girls, but just not with her. And I think whatever that reason is, I'm sure there's a good one. That's okay. You just need to have a conversation, and it can. What I want you to know is that it can be done tastefully because I do have friends that had to have these conversations after college, and they're still best friends, but for whatever reason, the sometimes you're just not good living partners. You know, it's like people have different living habits. So hopefully just telling the truth goes over great. It makes sense. And I love you and I'm wishing you the best luck. And that is all for our episode today. I love you guys. And I will see you next week for another episode of Hot Mess. Don't forget to subscribe and like this podcast. Love you. Bye. Wait, did I just turn that off? How do I get that back on? I'm a hot mess.

[Ashton]

Amazing deals on activewear for all the ways you move are at Nordstrom Rack stores now. How did I not know Rack has Adidas?

[Alex Earl]

Oh, I love these new Nikes.

[Ashton]

I always score at Rack. Stock up on new gear from the best brands in the game, starting at just $40. Great brands, great prices. That's why you rack.

[Alex Earl]

All set for your flight?

[Ashton]

Yep, I've got everything I need. Eye mask, neck pillow, T mobile, headphones.

[Alex Earl]

Wait, T Mobile?

[Ashton]

You bet. Free in flight. WiFi, Wi Fi, 15 off all Hilton brands. I never go anywhere without T Mobile. Same goes from a water bottle, chewing gum, nail clippers. I'm gonna leave you to it. Find out how you can experience travel better@t mobile.com Travel qualifying plan required. Wi Fi were available on select US airlines.

[Alex Earl]

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