In this episode, hosts, Kelly and Jessica explore the transformative idea of “mothering ourselves” and how it can lead to more joy, peace, and fulfillment in midlife. Jessica and Kelly share personal stories, helpful mindset shifts, and practical daily rituals that help prioritize self-care without guilt. From learning that your needs matter just as much as everyone else's, to redefining what happiness looks like as we age, this episode is full of validation and inspiration. It’s time to care for yourself with the same tenderness you give to others—because you deserve to feel full, not just functional.

Topics Covered:

• What it means to mother ourselves

• Mindset Shifts:

  1. Self-care is survival, not selfish

  2. Your needs matter as much as others

  3. You’re allowed to redefine happiness

• Daily rituals that fill your cup

• The mental load and how to shift out of burnout mode

✨ Tune in for real talk, real tips, and a gentle nudge toward more joyful, intentional living in midlife.

In this episode, Jessica and Kelly dive into the importance of advocating for your kids — whether it's snagging a coveted summer camp spot or navigating the competitive world of magnet school admissions. Kelly shares the rollercoaster of emotions when her son Beckett was waitlisted for camp and how a little persistence (and an email!) turned things around. Jessica talks about her son Dominic’s surprising lottery acceptance into a highly competitive magnet high school and why showing up and staying ready matters more than we think.

They discuss: ✅ The value of following up (and not just waiting passively) ✅ How local preferences often play a quiet role in camp admissions ✅ What to expect from highly selective magnet schools ✅ Why it’s okay to pivot plans last-minute if a better opportunity comes up ✅ Lessons learned about showing up early and staying engaged

Whether you’re a parent navigating summer planning or school transitions, this episode is packed with real-life insights on how to create opportunities — and why luck favors the proactive.

Reflecting on Motherhood: A Conversation with Our Mom

In this episode of Chasing Brighter, hosts Kelly and Jess sit down with their mom to discuss her life journey, parenting experiences, and reflections. They delve into her childhood, growing up in rural western Kansas, and raising two daughters. Their mom shares valuable insights on the evolution of motherhood, the challenges of working while raising children, and the importance of family bonding.

The episode is filled with amusing anecdotes, heartfelt memories, and wisdom on thriving as a woman through different seasons of life.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

00:10 Meet Our Special Guest: Mom

01:05 Childhood Memories and Sibling Rivalries

03:58 Growing Up in Rural Kansas

04:43 Reflections on Parenting and Family Life

07:06 Becoming a Parent: Expectations and Realities

15:25 Funny and Embarrassing Childhood Stories 16:37 Embarrassing Childhood Memories

17:22 Preschool Graduation and Shyness

18:51 Jessica's Quick Trip Incident

20:17 Family Road Trip Adventures

23:18 Changes in Motherhood Over the Years

26:07 Balancing Work and Family Time

29:55 Reflecting on Family and Podcasting

In this special Mother-Daughter episode, Jessica is joined by her daughter Gabriella for part two of their series on navigating connection during the teen years. They dive into what actually helps strengthen the bond between parents and teens — and what totally misses the mark (hint: sending 30 reels a day is not the answer!).

They share real talk about:

• Why simple, meaningful check-ins are better than constant questions about school

• The power of consistent traditions like movie nights and shopping trips

• How to approach connection without overwhelming or interrogating your teen

• Why respecting your teen’s growing independence is key — and how to balance communication without taking it personally

This episode is full of honest advice straight from a teen’s perspective, giving parents practical, relatable ways to stay close during these busy, changing years.

Mentioned:

• Thrive Tribe: Learn more at chasingbrighter.com/thrivetribe

The episode hosts Jessica and Kelly talk about the emotional and mental toll motherhood takes on American women, noting that American mothers are among the unhappiest in the developed world.

Ever felt totally exhausted by 9 a.m. without even leaving the house? You're not alone. In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Jessica and Kelly shine a light on the invisible weight American moms are carrying—aka “the mental load.” From managing schedules and soothing meltdowns to being the emotional thermostat of the home, moms are burning out in a culture that expects them to do it all.

Tune in as we explore:

• What the "Happiness Gap" is and why U.S. moms are unhappier than moms globally

• What mental load, decision fatigue, and emotional labor really mean

• Real-life examples of the daily mental burden

• 4 strategies to reclaim peace, joy, and time

• How to delegate like a boss (hint: it’s not just about the task!)

✨This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to set boundaries, share the load, and redefine what being a “good mom” actually means.

🛒 Try Audible for FREE here.

🧡 Want to support the pod? Check out our ad-free episodes and bonus content via Thrive Tribe on Patreon!

💫 As always, keep chasing brighter—one book at a time.

Join OUR Thrive Tribe TODAY! Use code 8F3C5 for 50% off first month!

• 🌐 Visit us at ChasingBrighter.com for more tips and resources.
• 📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

The hosts chat about seeing the Minecraft movie with their kids—some reluctant, some excited—and share funny moments from bootleg viewing to spontaneous theater trips. They also discuss progress on furnishing their lake house, delivery logistics, and plans to rent it out. The episode wraps with updates on spring break, enjoying downtime, and upcoming summer baseball travel.

Ready to fall in love with reading all over again? In this playful and heartwarming episode, we're serving up our favorite fun reads of 2025 (so far)! From swoon-worthy romances to juicy thrillers, fantastical escapes to deeply moving nonfiction—this is your ultimate spring/summer reading list.

Jessica dishes on the cozy chaos of The Ex Hex series, the haunting truth of The House of My Mother, and her total obsession with everything Abby Jimenez writes (yes, she’s THAT good). Kelly shares her fiction faves (The Berry Pickers and All the Colors of the Dark are must-reads!), her current sci-fi and fantasy flings, and the non-fiction titles changing her life—hello Good Inside and Radical Acceptance.

So grab a cup of tea or a sparkling spritz, curl up with a blanket, and prepare to be inspired to crack open a new chapter in your reading life. Bonus: we even share where we find our books and spill on BookTok obsessions!

Jessica’s Top Picks

• 💕 The Ex Hex Series by Erin Sterling

• 💔 The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

• 🧁 Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

• 🐉 Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Kelly’s Favorites

• 🌲 The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
• 📖 All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

• ⚔️ Legendborn by Tracy Deonn – Buy on Amazon

• 🕵️ Conclave by Robert Harris

• 📘 Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

• 👩‍🔬 Agent 355 – Amazing Short Story FREE on Audible!

• Check out our Episode on 🧠 Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach featured in [Episode 64]

🛒 Try Audible for FREE here.

🧡 Want to support the pod? Check out our ad-free episodes and bonus content via Thrive Tribe on Patreon!

💫 As always, keep chasing brighter—one book at a time.

Join OUR Thrive Tribe TODAY! Use code 8F3C5 for 50% off first month!

• 🌐 Visit us at ChasingBrighter.com for more tips and resources.
• 📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, Kelly and Jessica dive into managing the chaos of summer camp registrations, the mental load of midlife, and neighborhood battles. 💪✨ Plus, tips for handling unpredictable schedules and maintaining sanity through it all. Don't miss these strategies for thriving amidst the challenges!

👉 Subscribe, review, and share! New episodes every week at chasingbrighter.com and wherever you podcast. 💫

Try Rent the Runway with 40% off your first rental.

• 🌐 Visit us at ChasingBrighter.com for more tips and resources.
• 📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook