Chasing Brighter Podcast: A Midlife Guide To Your Best Life

Redefining What It Means to Be a "Good Mom"

In this heartfelt and honest episode, Jessica and Kelly dive deep into the societal myths of the "perfect mom" and why it's time to let them go. From Pinterest-worthy parties to gentle parenting pressure, today’s moms are bombarded with unrealistic expectations—and it's exhausting.
Together, they explore how redefining motherhood starts with embracing imperfection, setting boundaries, and showing up authentically. You’ll hear real talk about missed games, takeout dinners, emotional repair, and the power of modeling healthy behavior for your kids.
Stay tuned until the end for a special segment, Motherhood Voices, featuring personal reflections from other moms on what being a "good mom" truly means to them.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
There’s no such thing as a perfect mom—and trying to be one only leads to burnout.
Being present, real, and emotionally available matters more than perfection.
Repairing after rupture and modeling vulnerability builds trust and resilience.
Setting boundaries is a form of sustainable love—not selfishness.
Kids thrive when their caregivers are healthy and happy, not overextended.
Authenticity and imperfection help build stronger, deeper connections.
💬 Notable Quotes:
“Being a good mom is not about perfection—it’s about presence.” – Jessica“Boundaries are a gift, not just for you, but for your whole family.” – Kelly“Our kids don’t need a perfect mom. They need a real one.” – Jessica
🌟 Segment Highlight: Motherhood Voices
Hear candid thoughts from other moms as they share their personal definitions of good motherhood—raw, funny, and deeply moving.
📌 Links & Mentions:
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Super Woman Diaries #40: The Culture We Allow: Sportsmanship and Accountability in Youth Athletics

In this heartfelt episode, Jessica and Kelly dive into their recent experiences as sports moms and the challenges they've observed with unsportsmanlike behavior in youth athletics. From high school baseball rivalries to locker room dynamics, they explore how sports culture shapes young athletes—and why adult leadership matters. They reflect on the importance of programs that emphasize character, and how it only takes one voice to change the tone on and off the field. Whether you're a parent, coach, or just care about raising respectful humans, this episode is a must-listen.
👉 This episode is brought to you by the Thrive Tribe. Get exclusive content and support at chasingbrighter.com/thrivetribe.
 
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[[10:45] Managing parental anxiety and staying grounded on game day
[11:30] Respect, boundaries, and why some sideline behavior crosses the line

Mothering Ourselves: How to Reclaim Happiness in Midlife

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:
Self-care is survival, not selfish
Your needs matter as much as others
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.
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Join OUR Thrive Tribe TODAY! Use code 8F3C5 for 50% off first month! 
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Super Woman Diaries #39: Summer Camps & School Admissions: What We’ve Learned About Persistence

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.

A Conversation with Our Mom: Generations of Love and Lessons (Mother’s Day Special)

🎉 Happy Mother’s Day! Today, we’re honoring the OG Superwoman—our mom, Vickie—in a very special, laughter-filled episode.
From her days growing up in small-town Kansas to her journey raising two daughters (who were never any trouble, of course 😇), we dive into stories that are as heartwarming as they are hilarious.
💬 What you’ll hear:
Embarrassing stories (Jelly shoes + preschool meltdowns = iconic)
Wisdom from raising girls in the '80s and '90s
Why “forced family fun” is our favorite tradition
What’s changed (and what hasn’t) about motherhood over 40 years
Her best advice for moms navigating modern life
It’s real, raw, and full of love. Listen with your mom, your daughter, or your chosen family—this one’s a legacy episode. 💕
🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a story worth sharing.
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🧡 Want to support the pod? Check out our ad-free episodes and bonus content via Thrive Tribe on Patreon!
Join OUR Thrive Tribe TODAY! Use code 8F3C5 for 50% off first month! 
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Super Woman Diaries #38: Send Fewer Reels: How to Really Connect with Your Teen

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 Happiness Gap: Why American Moms are Struggling

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.
 
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🧡 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! 
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🌐 Visit us at ChasingBrighter.com for more tips and resources.
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Super Woman Diaries #37: Minecraft, Lake Life & Mom Mode

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.

Joy Between the Pages — Our Favorite Fun Reads for 2025 So Far 📚✨

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! 
Connect With Us:
🌐 Visit us at ChasingBrighter.com for more tips and resources.
📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook 

Super Woman Diaries #36: Managing The Mental Load in Midlife

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! 
 
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