Going into business with your best friend sounds like a dream—but how do you protect the friendship when work, stress, and different expectations get involved?

This week on The Art of Classiness, Robin and Deborah are celebrating 100 episodes—and the fact that they are still friends. They share what building a podcast together has taught them about boundaries, honest communication, creative disagreements, and putting friendship first.

In this special anniversary episode, they go back to the beginning: what they thought they were creating, what they completely underestimated, and the “classiest blunders” they can finally laugh about now. They also unpack the friendship-first principles that have helped them keep going: dream big, protect mental health, stop keeping score, say the hard thing while it is still small, and assume good intent.

It’s an honest, funny look at building something with a friend—and making sure the friendship has room to grow alongside it.

Here’s to 100 episodes. Here’s to still being friends. And here’s to 100 more.

Connect with us on Instagram and TikTok: @artofclassiness
Share your favorite AOC moment—or what you want from the next 100 episodes: artofclassiness@gmail.com

Quick disclaimer, friends—we are not business coaches, therapists, or relationship professionals. We are two friends sharing what has worked for us while building something together. This episode is for fun and informational purposes only. Take care of yourselves, communicate clearly, and use what feels right for you.

Menopause is about so much more than hot flashes, and “that is just aging” is not an acceptable answer. In another This Episode Will Piss You Off, Robin and Deborah talk about the things women are too often expected to endure quietly.

Deborah unpacks menopause and the fact that declining estrogen can affect far more than hot flashes. We talk about why women are not given better information about their bodies, why female sexual health remains under-discussed, and why “that is just aging” is not an acceptable answer.

Robin explores abortion bans and pregnancy emergencies through the stories of women with wanted pregnancies who needed urgent medical care when things went wrong.

This episode includes discussion of menopause, painful sex, pregnancy loss, sepsis, abortion restrictions, and maternal death. Please take care of yourself while listening.

Sources:
Effects of pelvic floor muscle training on sexual function of postmenopausal women

ACOG

Menopause Society

Women’s Health Initiative (WHI)

FDA Approves Labeling Changes to Menopausal Hormone Therapy Products

DISPARITIES IN FUNDING BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE SEXUAL FUNCTION-RELATED DISORDERS

National Network of Abortion Funds

KFF Abortion in the U.S.

Reproductive Freedom for All

Say Their Names: The Women Who Died After Being Denied Emergency Abortion Care

A Pregnant Teenager Died After Trying to Get Care in Three Visits to Texas Emergency Rooms

Woman said she went into sepsis before she could get lifesaving abortion care in Texas

Life of the Mother: How Abortion Bans Lead to Preventable Deaths

Texas Medical Board Sanctions Three Doctors for Delayed Care That Led to the Deaths of Two Pregnant Women

Class Act of the Week: Jay Filmore: Pink Pill RX

Quick disclaimer, friends—we are not doctors, lawyers, or mental-health professionals, just two people who love to share ideas and experiences. This podcast is for fun and informational purposes only. It's not meant to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have questions about your health, definitely reach out to your doctor or a qualified health professional. Take care of yourselves and use what feels right for you.

Not every mental health day looks the same. Sometimes you need to sleep, sometimes you need to get out of your own head, and sometimes you need to be around someone who makes you feel like yourself again.

In this episode, we’re breaking down five different kinds of mental health days: I’m Drained, I’m Overwhelmed, I’m Hurting, I Need Connection, and I’m at a Crossroads. We talk about recognizing what you actually need, giving yourself permission to step back, and knowing the difference between rest, distraction, connection, and avoidance.

Plus, we tackle a Class or Crass scenario about whether it’s fair to feel resentful when someone else takes a mental health day while you’re drowning in your own responsibilities.

So take what you need from this episode. Rest, connection, perspective, or permission to do a little less for a day.

Connect with us on Instagram and TikTok: @artofclassiness
Send us your own “too old to pretend” list: artofclassiness@gmail.com

Quick disclaimer, friends—we are not doctors, therapists, or professional event planners. We are two women with opinions, a deep respect for seating, and a healthy skepticism of any event requiring a group Venmo. This episode is for fun and informational purposes only. Take care of yourselves and use what feels right for you.