Mascara is over. Yes, it’s joined side parts as beauty cringe, according to the ghost lashes trend that Em Vernem has embraced. We’re unpacking: Are bare eyes cool or do they leave some of us looking like 'elderly babies'?

Plus, the fear of public speaking has morphed into something else: the fear of speaking in public, full stop. So why is small talk dying, and does it matter? We’re asking: Is a quick chat about the weather actually the secret to a happier life?

And, meet the internet’s new favorite literal girlboss — a 13-year-old skincare CEO who edits her COO mom’s 'cringe' captions. While Em feels like a failure by comparison, Holly Wainwright is fascinated by the 'corporatisation of kids' and brand-building curriculums. But is it smart? In an AI world, has 'building a business' become more important than actually knowing things? 

In other business, Clare Stephens wants to know why the word 'matrescence' isn't in the dictionary yet? 

And, of course, recommendations:

Holly recommends The Walkers podcast by Tortoise Media & The Observer — a wild investigation into the author of The Salt Path.

Emily recommends the book Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy.

Clare recommends Hometown Boys, a six-part investigative podcast from ABC’s Background Briefing.

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What To Listen To Next: 

• Listen to our latest episode: Mia Enters The 'Working Mums' Chat
• Listen: Inside The Fight That Ended Kyle & Jackie O
• Listen: Love Story Part 2: Jackie O, The Kennedys & That Fight Scene
• Listen: Uninvited Princesses & The Dating Story We're Yearning For
• Listen: The Next Top Model Reckoning & Jessie's Very Honest Handover
• Listen: Oh Sh*t. We Let Creeps Decide Our Beauty Standards
• Listen: "I'm A Working Mum & I Just Want To Quit"
• Listen: Prince William Has Entered The Chat
• Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts 

Discover more Mamamia Podcasts here including the very latest episode of Parenting Out Loud, the parenting podcast for people who don't listen to... parenting podcasts.

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What to read: 

• 'I thought I was bad at small talk. Turns out, I was doing it wrong.'
• 'After having my daughter, motherhood was not what I thought it would be. Then I discovered matrescence.'
• 'For the first 5 years of motherhood, I thought something was wrong. Then I discovered matrescence.'
• If your teen's skincare stash is growing, here's what to keep (and what to toss).

THE END BITS: 

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CREDITS:

Hosts: Emily Vernem, Clare Stephens & Holly Wainwright

Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine

Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock

Audio Producer: Leah Porges

Video Producer: Josh Green

Junior Content Producer: Tessa Kotowicz