2025 Wrapped: A Look Back at Our Favorite Things

Join host Molly Baker and our guest as they close out 2025 with an honest, funny, and very real conversation about navigating change, new roles, and figuring things out in real time. After a year filled with professional shifts, personal milestones, and plenty of trial and error, Molly and Kat reflect on what has actually changed, what suddenly matters less, and why no one really knows what they are doing all the time. They swap favorite campaigns, trends, shows, and books from 2025 and share what they are excited to build in 2026, including Indie’s first office and a new chapter of growth. For anyone juggling work and life, moving through new seasons, or craving a year end reset that feels human and hopeful, this episode is a reminder that one size does not fit all and it is perfectly okay to figure it out as you go.

MB (Molly Baker): When you really think about it, does anyone actually know what they’re doing all the time?

KB (Kat Baker): Honestly, no. I feel like most people are just figuring it out as they go.

MB: People still try to act like they have it all handled though, which is the wild part.

KB: Totally. And the more you live, the more you realize one size does not fit all, in work or in life.

MB: Welcome to the final Name Drop episode of 2025. You’re our first repeat guest, which feels like a milestone. For anyone newer here, introduce yourself.

KB: I’m Kat Baker. I’m your sister, and I’m Indie’s business development lead.

MB: Which is a new title since the last time you were on. What has changed for you since your last visit?

KB: A lot. It’s been a huge year. I had a baby, went on maternity leave, and came back in a new role, so it feels like personal and professional change all at once.

MB: Same. Last time I recorded episodes, I was nine months pregnant sitting in this chair pretending I was fine. Then you have to watch those episodes come out and realize you definitely were not fine.

KB: Seeing yourself pregnant in video form is like seeing race photos or senior year pictures. You don’t need the evidence.

MB: Tell us about your new role. What does your day look like now?

KB: I’m the business development lead at Indie, which has been really fun. It’s also more financially grounded than I expected. I used to be the director of our creative team, and people think it’s a huge pivot, but as a director you already dabble in business development. Now there are just a lot more numbers involved, especially at the end of the year.

MB: Is that exciting or intimidating?

KB: Both. I always said I went into marketing so I wouldn’t have to deal with numbers, and I avoided them for a while. Now I’m fully in it. I do like the data though, and I like a little wheeling and dealing.

MB: You were doing that even in your creative role.

KB: True. I just have limits. I could never live inside paid ads dashboards all day.

MB: What’s your favorite way to spend a day with no plans?

KB: I’m choosing fall. Raleigh has had such a pretty fall this year. My perfect day would start with a workout, either Pilates or a run, then I’d come home, grab the baby and my husband, and go get coffee. We’d probably go to Yellow Dog downtown, especially in the fall when they have cute drink specials. After that, we’d hit the farmers market. Fall fruits are just elite. Apples, pumpkins, all of it. Then later in the day, maybe a fire in the backyard, making food, keeping it low key, enjoying the weather.

MB: That sounds perfect. I’m a planner, so I don’t really know what a day with no plans looks like. But it would probably be coffee, a run, a long walk, and getting a lot of steps in. Not that different from yours, honestly.

KB: What coffee shop would you go to?

MB: Left Hook. I love their coffee. I think they might have the best cold brew in Raleigh. They’re moving though, and the new location is inconvenient for me, which is upsetting.

KB: Convenience definitely affects the flavor.

MB: It really does.

MB: What’s a niche topic you know a lot about?

KB: Apparently, knowing all the lyrics to early 2000s songs. I asked my friends and that was the consensus.

MB: Like what?

KB: Lips of an Angel. No Air. Pretty much anything you’d hear at a college bar back then.

MB: I don’t really have a niche topic, which is why I’m terrible at trivia.

KB: I disagree. You know a lot about local coffee shops.

MB: That is my one category.

MB: What’s a small habit that instantly makes your day better?

KB: Making coffee at home. Since having a baby, getting out of the house every morning is harder, so the ritual matters. Frothing milk, deciding what to put in it, all of that. I also try once a day to intentionally think about what I’m grateful for. Lately, I’ve been spending a few minutes thinking about what makes the baby happy and writing those things down. The things that make him happy make me happy too, and it helps ground the day.

MB: That’s really sweet.

MB: Favorite marketing campaign of 2025?

KB: Duolingo. The way they “killed” their mascot was so smart. I had to research why it worked, and the whole idea of keeping the owl alive by continuing to use the app was such a clever storyline. It was ridiculous in the best way.

MB: Mine is Skims. Their marketing is consistently strong. They really do not miss.

MB: Favorite viral trend?

KB: My Betrayal List. It feels especially relatable postpartum.

MB: Same. TikTok has a way of saying the exact thought you’ve had in your head and making it go viral. Sometimes it’s comforting and sometimes it’s overwhelming.

MB: Favorite packaging or branding?

KB: Rhode. I love how clean and simple it is, especially the food inspired visuals. It feels elevated without being loud.

MB: I love Graza’s packaging. I’m a big fan of everything they do visually. I do wish the bottles weren’t plastic, but the design is great.

MB: Favorite beauty product?

KB: Ilia tinted moisturizer. It’s my go to. Great consistency, clean, easy.

MB: Their mascara is also great, especially because it comes off easily.

MB: Favorite show of the year?

KB: The Summer I Turned Pretty. I loved the conversation around it, and I can’t handle super dark shows right now. I just want something enjoyable.

MB: Mine is Land Man. It’s entertaining without being too heavy, which is key.

MB: Favorite podcast besides Name Drop?

KB: The Toast. I listen almost every day. I can’t decide if I love it or if it annoys me, but I need their pop culture takes.

MB: Mine is The Skinny Confidential. Same love hate relationship, but the guest range keeps me coming back.

MB: Favorite holiday movie?

KB: Home Alone and Christmas with the Kranks. Christmas with the Kranks still makes me laugh every time.

MB: Home Alone is my number one, no question.

MB: Favorite holiday tradition?

KB: Our family Christmas party on December 22. The buildup is my favorite part, even though it’s chaos and I make way too many cookies.

MB: Mine is Christmas Eve dinner, especially now that there are kids.

MB: Favorite book of the year?

KB: Onyx Storm, the Fourth Wing sequel. It completely lived up to the hype.

MB: Demon Copperhead. It’s heavy but incredible and really sticks with you.

MB: Favorite Slack reaction emoji?

KB: The crying face with the big streaming tears. It works for everything.

MB: I use the heart the most.

MB: Favorite influencer right now?

KB: Mary Ralph Lawson Bradley from Daily Drills. Her life in California feels so aspirational, and she gives great clothing recommendations.

MB: Favorite Indie project this year?

KB: The Rice Krispies Treats shoot we did in the spring. It was such a sprint, but seeing it all come together was incredibly rewarding.

MB: For me, speaking at the Ad Age event in September felt like a big milestone for the business, especially getting our first Ad Age press hit.

MB: What are you most looking forward to in 2026?

KB: Starting the year strong and moving into our first real office. I’m really excited to have our own space.

MB: Same. I’m excited for the office, the team, and whatever unexpected things come next year. It feels like we have a great foundation.

MB: Any parting wisdom as we close out 2025?

KB: Nothing huge. Just gratitude. It’s been a year of change, and I’m grateful to be part of the journey and excited to see what’s next.

MB: Last question. How has becoming a mom changed how you approach work?

MB: For me, things that used to feel dramatic don’t feel as dramatic anymore. They still matter, but they don’t take up the same emotional space. Running a business and being a mom both feel like trial and error. You try things, you adjust, you fix what doesn’t work.

KB: Which brings us back to the beginning. No one really knows what they’re doing all the time.

MB: No, they don’t. People just try to make it look that way.

KB: And you realize most problems are solvable, and that having grace for people matters. We can take the work seriously without taking ourselves too seriously.

MB: Exactly. It’s supposed to be fun.

Find Kat on LinkedIn @Kathryn Baker

As for us, follow @namedrop.pod on Instagram & LinkedIn and @molbakes on Instagram for all future episodes and insights.