SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to Mildly Thriving. I'm Kimberly and I'm Mary.

SPEAKER_01 0:04

We're two average millennials who aren't failing but aren't always thriving either. And we're out to prove that Mildly Thriving is thriving enough.

SPEAKER_00 0:10

Please make sure you're subscribed and following us on the social medias.

SPEAKER_01 0:14

And if you're feeling really nice, you could give us a five-star review wherever you listen to podcasts.

SPEAKER_00 0:18

Now let's dive into this week's episode. What's up, dog? Hi, Meredith. Hi, Kimberly. How's it going? Dandy, how are you? I'm on the up and up. I'm very sorry. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 0:35

I mean, I'm glad you're on the up and up. That's I'm I'm not sorry that you're feeling better. I'm sorry that you were sick to begin with because it sounded awful.

SPEAKER_00 0:44

Yeah. Um would you like to share with the rest of the group? Yeah, I'll share with the group um what happened to me. Um hi, my name's Kimberly, and I am a victim of hand, foot, and mouth disease.

SPEAKER_01 0:59

Oh my god. Words I never thought I'd hear uttered.

SPEAKER_00 1:04

Yeah. Um, I got it from my brother who suspects that he got it from his son, who is an infant, and he goes to daycare, and apparently that ailment runs rampant in daycares. And so last week I came down with a fever and body aches, and um then a couple days into it, I started getting like blisters on my hands. And so yeah, my god, like I had this giant blister.

SPEAKER_01 1:46

Good god. Uh, we were talking about it at brunch because we're like, man, we're really sad that our friends, our other friends cannot be here with us today. And I mentioned that it just sounds the name of it just sounds so bad. Like saying that you have it, you have a disease. Like saying that you have the flu is like, oh, that's fucking normal. They've got the flu. But saying you have hand, foot, and mouth disease makes it sound like you are condemned. That just like that's it.

unknown 2:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 2:25

Stay away. I was I was like.

SPEAKER_00 2:28

And we were just kind of joking, like oh, you were making fun of my at me of me at my expense.

SPEAKER_01 2:35

Not at all. We were we were like, no, I'd make fun of you to your face. Uh we were like sad that two of the five people of the group canceled, but they were both very legitimate reasons for canceling. And we were like, man, this is this is crazy.

SPEAKER_00 2:53

I could have come. Like, I felt well enough, and I could have come, but um, no, you could have the fact the fact that this is like so contagious. Um, I was you could have and I would have stayed, and everyone else would have canceled.

SPEAKER_01 3:11

Uh I I do need to mention because said Girls' Day yesterday, we were all I missed. You did miss. I'm very sorry. We are going to play it another one. Um I was talking to one of our other friends, and she uh she was like, I'm very offended that you guys have not mentioned me in the podcast. And I was like, We've mentioned you numerous times. And she's like, but you don't say my name and you say Josh's name. And I was like, we intentionally don't say anyone's name because we haven't gotten y'all's permission yet. We got Josh's permission. So Taylor has given me permission to use her name because she was like, You guys don't want to talk about me. And I was like, I'll say, I'll say all of the Taylor things.

SPEAKER_02 3:58

Oh, yeah, girl, we talked a lot of shit about you, Taylor, the like the last couple episodes.

SPEAKER_00 4:02

So um, everyone's gonna know you by name.

SPEAKER_01 4:05

So yeah, then the then we we talked about how the last episode was talking about who in the group doesn't like crafts. And she was like, Yeah, it's me.

SPEAKER_00 4:15

Yeah. So Taylor, Taylor is the one that does not like crafts. And every time we show up to her house, she says, Why do I hang out with white people? They're always on time.

SPEAKER_01 4:27

They're all they're always early and they're always doing crafts. Um, but the the episode that brought it up was she was our third party for the Kimberly almost shit or pants story, and she was like, You guys just kept saying our friend the whole episode. And I was like, I know for your protection, Taylor. Now everyone knows it's out, it's out there.

SPEAKER_00 4:46

Should we say her name, address, phone number, social security number so that like people actually know who she is?

SPEAKER_01 4:54

Yeah. Um, it's Taylor bleep, and she lives at bleep bleep. Just kidding. We love you, Taylor. We love all of our friends, but we don't know who wants to be blasted to our 36 followers. Oh, good times. Uh you never know. Speaking of name-dropping friends and spas, the topic for today's discussion, uh, the credit can go to Amy because she was with me at the spa today. And yes, I had two spa days in a row. It was pretty cool. Um, but yesterday, the spa we were required to have bathing suits. Today we went to the Korean spa, and you are required to be naked. And we were talking about like we were just sitting there looking around, admiring tattoos, honestly, because like so many people have tattoos now. It's like, oh, you can see everyone, like all of everyone's tattoos. And Amy mentioned, like, it's just so nice to be able to be in a like a comfortable setting where no one's worried about what they look like, no one's worried about being naked because we're all on a a level playing field. Everyone's required to be naked, everyone's wearing the hideous hair hairnet, and everyone's just trying to not slip on the the bathroom, the tile floor. It nobody's worried about whose body looks better than the other. And it was just nice to be able to like look at real bodies and appreciate people, and nothing is sexualized, nothing is weird, it's just a comfortable space. And she suggested, you know, bring back naked spaces. And again, I this is not promoting, like, I'm not making it as a joke. I'm not like promoting it in a sexual way. It's it was more just like why can't this be more of a thing? Because, you know, it's nice to just be equal and not worry about my body for once and just admire people for what they are, their age, that you know, like just seeing different age bodies, seeing different types of bodies, seeing people's scars, people's tattoos, just all kinds of different things, and not looking at anybody in a sexual way.

SPEAKER_00 7:15

We are so weird about nudity, and it's actually it's funny that this topic came up because I was literally just talking to Josh before I came down to start the podcast, and he grew up in Papua New Guinea as a missionary kid, and I was like, So did the like native people of New Guinea did they wear clothing? And he's like, the older people didn't. He's like, they would, you know, bend over and there's there's his butthole, and you're like, oh wow, and it's like why I I do think there's obviously a functional level to clothing. Yeah, yeah. It keeps you warm, it protects you from the elements and the sun and all of that, but then there's just anytime I've been naked in a group of people, you realize that it's not actually that weird, and you can kind of do all of the things that you were doing before, but you're just not wearing clothes.

SPEAKER_01 8:19

Yeah. I think I also think it's odd the way we get uncomfortable in situations like that, but like we allow other things that are taboo. Like we could watch violence all day long, but the second someone gets naked, it's like this is fucking weird, and it's not. And I do I do want to say going into this, that I understand that there was a level of comfort there because we're all women. It the it's it's only women, so I was not uncomfortable in any way. And now I like as I started writing this and started thinking about it, I was like, well, I I think there are settings where I would be comfortable, whether it was men or women, I just think that society makes it seem like everything has to be sexualized now, so it can't it can't just be a level playing field with everyone in the same location. And the example that came to my mind was a hot springs because I've been to clothing optional hot springs. And I've joked many times with numerous people about how it's never fun to go to those places because the only people that are naked are the 80-year-old dudes that just don't give a fuck. And like, and like I don't care, I don't necessarily want to see it, but like when it's you and the 80-year-old dude that's naked and no one else's, when it's optional, it does feel like I'm going to be looked at and people are going to sexualize me. And there was a difference when it's required and everyone's wearing the exact same thing, and everyone's there for the same purpose, and nobody's looking at you in that kind of way.

SPEAKER_00 10:16

Well, I mean, even if they are being respectful of the boundaries and not making your known. Yeah. Yeah. Um Yeah, I think I think we're so I think we're so weird about it. And I like I don't really get it.

SPEAKER_01 10:37

Do you think if it happened more often we would be less self-conscious of our bodies?

SPEAKER_00 10:42

Because I do. Because I I think so much of our um of our posturing and like confidence comes from like, well, I'm wearing this really cute outfit and this this clothing that was expensive. And it's kind of like clothing has become a way to not only express yourself, but like show your status in life.

SPEAKER_01 11:08

It's like peacocking.

SPEAKER_00 11:10

Yeah, yeah. It's definitely like that. Whereas like when everyone is naked, there's very little that you can do it's a virtualizer. I do think though, that if people spend more time naked, that tattoos will become more. I think tattoos are becoming more of a status like symbol because they're becoming they're so expensive, and you know, the bigger the piece, and you go and work with this artist and blah, blah, blah. So I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 11:40

I will say, I guess the immediate example that comes to mind is the show off campus because I've been watching it and it's all people in their 20s who have fucking hot bodies. And I think it reminded me that there everyone has a normal body, and I don't I can stop comparing myself to the only bodies that I see on Instagram or on TV or that are just in my face all the time. Cause it's really easy to feel like shit about yourself when all you're seeing is like the person that has a perfect body or six-pack abs. And I'm not like advocating for being unhealthy, I just mean that like I can sit there and look at these beautiful bodies and think, like, man, I'll never look like that. And then I'm reminded, like, oh wait, that's not what the average person looks like. And like the average person has tattoos, has wrinkles, has stretch marks, has scars. Cellulite. Yeah, like you know, I saw women with like C-section scars, and just like it's like, oh yeah, that's what a real fucking person looks like, and not everyone looks like what we're made to see on Instagram every day or on TV every day. And it's like, oh yeah, this is nice.

SPEAKER_00 13:01

Well, and what's also interesting is that what we consider the ideal body has changed. Um, like back in the 50s, it was slightly more curvy, you know, and now we're getting, and then into the you know, 90s, it was the heroine chic, and you were skinny as a rail, and that, you know, that was the only option. You know, now we're kind of going like, oh, you have like it's okay to have an ass, like before it wasn't. Um, and now you're starting, and I've really noticed this as I've watched movies, um, specifically with men, in that the male, the ideal male physique has gone from like if you watch like Greece, those guys are like, you know, like they have a little bit of muscle, you know, they're whatever. Now you see them, you see guys in movies, and they're buff six, eight, twelve pack abs. Like and it's like sorry, that's not, you know, and and obviously people have it it is something that is achievable, but you have to work really, really hard for that or and or take supplements.

SPEAKER_01 14:27

Yes, I people like that's a full-time job in and of itself. Like, we talked recently about how busy we are and how like when you're trying to do work and social activities and hobbies, like how how are people fitting in these workout routines? But like, I under I do understand that these are actors and actresses and it's part of their role. And it doesn't mean I don't appreciate the stories that they're portraying. I get that it's part of the story, but damn it, do I look at some of these guys' bodies and I'm like, I've never seen a man in real life that looks like that? It's like that that's like a statue, it's not real. Anyways, just to talk about specifically the Korean spa, have you ever been? I have.

SPEAKER_00 15:09

It has been a long time, but um I remember going and being like, this is the least sexy thing I've, you know, ever because you're in this like crazy hair net. And aren't there slippers involved? No, not at this one. Oh, okay. I want to say there were sandals.

SPEAKER_01 15:30

There were sandals at the one yesterday, but ever like everyone had to have on bathing suits. Um which I was super sexy in my Bucky's leopard one piece. Um I really like the Korean spa. I like uh Amy got a scrub, which I've never done, but they do like the whole body scrub.

unknown 15:52

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 15:52

But man, they're just it's almost painful. You're like, oh my god. That's why I didn't do it. I was nervous. I was like, did it hurt? She's like, actually, not as bad as I thought it was one of us. So maybe I'll do it next day. It was just mildly unpleasant. It only felt like sandpaper. It's fine. But they have like they have different temperature pools, and then they have the steam rooms, and then they have saunas, they have the like salt rooms that are hot, they have like a tea room, just like a regular quiet relaxation room, and they have a fucking restaurant attached. So, like while Amy did her scrub, I just went and sat in the restaurant and had delicious Korean food, which was amazing.

SPEAKER_00 16:34

Were you naked in the restaurant or did you like get unnaked?

SPEAKER_01 16:39

Unnaked. Uh you put your robe back on to go anywhere outside of the actual bathhouse. So if you're in the like if you're going to the massage rooms or the like salt room, salt room sauna thing, uh, you have your robe on. But yeah, I it's just, yeah, it is the least attractive you'll ever look. Like no one's wearing makeup, everyone's got their hair in the hair net, and everyone's just completely naked. And it's like, oh, cool. Like I feel better going there than I do wearing my bathing suit in a public place. Like because I don't think anybody's looking at me to objectify. Do you think that though that if that was like a co-ed space, you would feel as safe? I wanna say yes, just based on the setting, because the purpose is still the same. But and like I don't think that you know anything inappropriate would happen. But I I think it would take a couple of times. I think I would feel more self-conscious having men a bunch of men see me naked than a bunch of women, even in in like a neutral space where we're all the same. Does that make sense?

SPEAKER_00 18:00

Yeah, no, I I have actually a very good um example of this. Okay. Um, I was in Key West. I was in Key West a couple years ago with some friends, and we were just walking around, and um another friend told me that there's an I believe it's a fully nude bar in Key West. And so to the two friends that I was with, I was like, let's go. And they were like, uh okay. So we go, it's nude optional. So you so you know what that means. You end up with a bunch of old guys who were naked, and then there's like maybe like one or two girls who are topless or women, not girls. And so I was like, I'm gonna be, I'm here, I'm not gonna, you know, I'm I'm gonna do it. So we all got topless, but what happened is then they let in a bunch of guys, like 20-something guys, and they come in and they're just fully clothed. And it's like if they were also nude, it would be less weird. But we started to feel uncomfortable because you're standing there and you're kind of feeling vulnerable because you made the choice. Yeah, you're like you're in public, you aren't wearing, you know, a top, and they're just there to it feels like they're just there to see topless women.

SPEAKER_01 19:38

That's what I meant about the hot springs. It's like I would happily get naked at the hot springs if it wasn't me and the 80-year-old dude, and then every other dude that's there still gets to have his clothes on, and it's just like, oh, I sweet, I get to see girls with their shirts off.

SPEAKER_00 19:52

Like, it's like if it's just me and the 80-year-old, then okay, fine, we're all gonna be naked. But if it's just me and him, then like that puts you, that makes you feel like you're vulnerable, you're a spectacle. And so it's not so we ended up leaving after that because it was like, this is uncomfortable. This is uncomfortable. You need to level the playing field. Like I think those guys didn't even have their shirts off. I think they were wearing, you know, and you're just like, they're just here to like, you know, this isn't a strip club, this is supposed to be a like a place where everyone is kind of, you know. Yeah, make it and also the floor was really squishy.

SPEAKER_01 20:34

And we were like, I don't want to end up in some gross basement because I accidentally fell through the floorboard floorboard.

SPEAKER_00 20:40

Exactly. I was like, Did do you guys does this floor feel squishy to you all? And they were like, Yes. And I was like, okay, well, then we're leaving, and we left.

SPEAKER_01 20:48

See, I think that's why I think I think it would be uncomfortable at first because I'd still feel self-conscious, but it still levels the playing field. I I specifically wanted to ask about how you felt about the uh what is it, the Fremont bike, the naked bike ride?

SPEAKER_00 21:08

Mm-hmm. The solstice, the Fremont solstice parade.

SPEAKER_01 21:11

Yes. So I've never been to anything like that. I would absolutely do it, but how is it being naked in front of a bunch of strangers in public?

SPEAKER_00 21:22

So, I mean, it's definitely like a body positive type um of event. And you're kind of like you know that you're going to be if you participate in the parade portion, you know what you're signing up for. Yeah. And so what ends up happening is people get naked, but they paint themselves. And so you're supposed to have some kind of paint. Like if you're with a group of people, um, you might have a theme like the last time I did it, we did like Batman and Robin.

SPEAKER_03 21:59

How far?

SPEAKER_00 22:00

We had the Joker. There might have been some other people. Batman Robin, the Joker. I don't know. But you kind of like you're painted, so you don't feel totally exposed. I've always worn underwear because not only am I like riding a bike, but I'm also like I rent a line bike. And so I cover, I cover the seat with a plastic bag. And then I still want to have like a little bit of a big thing. But it also just feels less. It feels less naked. Yeah. Yeah. And so then, so we do a paint party, which is the paint party is honestly the most fun part because you're having some drinks with your friends, and you're all, you know, putting paint on each other. And then you go and you do the bike ride. And then the at the end, we ended up at gasworks, and there's a bunch of old men with their fucking cameras, and they're all clothed, and they're there taking pictures of people. And it's like this feels a little. This feels a little weird. Yep. So you kind of it's like those men ruin it for everyone.

SPEAKER_01 23:19

Yeah. That's I honestly it made me question bringing up this topic at all because I don't want I'm not trying to invite the conversation of like, I don't even want to be jokey about it. It's not like I got naked in front of a bunch of women today. Like, it's just a fact that happened. And like we should be able to talk about these things without sexualizing the situation. We should be able to make a joke without it, without somebody sexualizing it. Like that's I'm just ugly, yeah. Anyways, this is supposed to be a happy, a happy podcast.

SPEAKER_00 23:54

I think if you are the person who is in the nude, you have to kind of be prepared to not care about what other people are doing. And just okay, like, and of course, I know that if I'm in a parade that people are taking pictures and you know, but it's like that that last little bit at Gasworks was like, I know why you're here and don't do that. Like it's it just well, I I can't. I can't tell if you're like, oh, I love taking pictures of parades and whatever, or is it just because there's like a bunch of nude people here? I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 24:37

But it's sad that that's our first thought at all because it does happen. Like, I saw a reel recently that was like one of those like fake street interviews that's probably AI. And this dude asks a woman, he's like, Who would protect women if there were no men on the planet? And she goes, from who? It's like, oh uh, duh. It's like, man, I should like can't even feel safe doing something like that. It's just frustrating. That's all. I could go on a different rant, but that's not what today is about. We're being body positive and today's about being naked.

SPEAKER_00 25:16

That's right. You know what you need to put on your on your on your bingo card for this year or for this summer. We're gonna go to a nude beach.

SPEAKER_01 25:25

Done. I can do that. I think there's one in San Diego.

SPEAKER_00 25:29

Well, no, we were gonna go. Oh I mean, if you want to go.

SPEAKER_01 25:32

Yeah, no, I just I'm sorry, squirrel. I you said nude beach. I was like, oh, I think there's one in San Diego. I know somebody who lives there. That's it. It was just making it. No, I get it. Fine, fine, fine.

SPEAKER_00 25:44

But yeah, let's go. I already made my bingo card. So if you haven't made your bingo card yet, I think you should add that. And I think you will be surprised at how unweird it actually is when everyone I think it's taken.

SPEAKER_01 26:06

Yeah. I I think it takes a couple of minutes to get comfortable, and then you realize, like, oh, that's it. Cool. Now I'm now we're just here. Yep. People come in all shapes and sizes. I'm just one shape and size. No, I'm multiple I'm multiple sh No, I get you know what? Never mind. I'm done. You're just yo. I'm just me. Um Well, is that is that it for It is. Thank you, Amy, for the the topic. I told her I'd give her credit for that because it was her idea. Uh good job, Amy. But yeah, I I agree. It was nice to just appreciate people for what they are and have no judgment.

SPEAKER_03 26:51

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_00 26:53

And you realize that we're all that we're all pretty much the same. Yes. Just like variations.

SPEAKER_03 26:59

Yep.

SPEAKER_00 27:00

Yeah. Well, I like that. That was that was fun. And now we're gonna go to a nude beach this summer.

SPEAKER_01 27:06

So done. I now have a space on my bingo card. I have other things to put on my bingo card, and I'm actually really excited to tell you about some of those things.

SPEAKER_00 27:14

But we can save that for a later time. Okay, and you'll have to um share your bingo card when you're done and the dates in which you're going to complete your your bingo card. Yes, mom. You're welcome. Um did you say thank you, or did I just say you're welcome?

SPEAKER_01 27:39

You just said you're welcome. That's you're welcome. Okay. I was like, oh, that's all right. I can see who's in charge here and it's not me.

SPEAKER_00 27:49

I mean, you did say mom. You called me mom, right? I I did. Um is that a pajama shirt? No, but it kind of it kind of gives like a boy in the striped pajamas vibe. So I think I'm gonna burn it after this.

SPEAKER_01 28:05

I don't think it's bad. I just I was like, oh, she's really embracing this. I'm I'm sick thing. She put on makeup, but she's got her pajamas on.

SPEAKER_00 28:14

Okay, well, fuck you.

SPEAKER_01 28:16

You look nice. It just looks like a pajama shirt.

SPEAKER_00 28:19

Honestly, though, like there's a lot of like linen type clothing out now that like when they sell them in those sets, you're like, is that is that pajamas or is that a set?

SPEAKER_01 28:31

Like you're right. And the difference between a beach set and pajamas is where you're wearing them. That is mostly it.

SPEAKER_00 28:40

Um, or like you see like silk pants.

SPEAKER_01 28:43

Yeah, I own a phone.

SPEAKER_00 28:46

Are those pajamas?

SPEAKER_01 28:47

I think so. It's an excuse for me to be comfortable in stretchy pants in public. Yeah can you can you stand up? Can I just like see what it looks like? Minus well, because this is where I tell you I'm not wearing pants. Nice. How appropriate for you're actually wearing jeans. See, it's actually very cute. And uh I can see that it's not a pajama shirt. Sorry.

SPEAKER_00 29:08

Yeah, I mean it could be. I understand where you're at. I just think it was rude that you even mentioned it. So okay.

SPEAKER_01 29:16

Well, sorry.

SPEAKER_00 29:17

All right. Anyways, I think we're done with I think that oh we have we have one more thing that we have to say. Okay is that oh, we are you reminded me and I still didn't do it.

SPEAKER_01 29:32

I can do it.

SPEAKER_02 29:34

I did.

SPEAKER_01 29:34

Uh I'm I you, me. I'm sorry. It was my turn to say this. Um, thank you all who have been listening. Um, it's been almost a year-ish that we've been putting out episodes. Uh, so we are going to take a well-deserved break um for the summer. We have lots going on, and we are going to um come together and come up with some new ideas, and we will resume recording in the fall sometime, but we will get back to you on an exact date on social media or yes.

SPEAKER_00 30:15

Yeah, so follow us uh on Instagram at mildly thriving pod and we will announce when we are going to be coming back, but we just need a little a little break, so we need a revamp.

SPEAKER_01 30:28

Also, if anyone has suggestions on topics they want to listen to or things ways that we could improve or change, please send them our way. Yeah, I love it. That'd be great. Send us a message. Okay, now I think this is a good reminder that mildly thriving. Nope, hang on. Is fuck. God damn it. This is a good reminder that you should love yourself and your body and that mildly thriving is thriving in enough. I hate you. I'm I'm trying to pace with you. We were definitely not paced together. Oh. Oh, you know what? I did my best. I I just think there is delay, and then whenever we listen back, it's gonna sound better than one of us thought it was. Anyways, see you on the flip side, homie. Sounds good. Peace out. See you later, Boy Scout.