Chasing Brighter Podcast: A Midlife Guide To Your Best Life

Finding Peace in the Holiday Hustle: Self-Care Tips for a Calmer Season🎄

Feeling frazzled by holiday chaos? We've got your back! This week, we’re tackling practical self-care strategies to help you experience the holiday season with more calm, rest, and joy. From setting boundaries to sneaking in moments of quiet, we’re sharing easy ways to avoid burnout and actually enjoy the holidays.
What We’re Talking About:✨ Recognizing holiday burnout—what it looks like and how to fix it✨ Simple self-care ideas, from mindful breathing to daily rituals✨ How to set boundaries around your time, money, and emotions✨ Finding small moments of joy that recharge your spirit
Our Quick Tips for a Calmer Holiday:
Delegate tasks—ask for help or let technology handle it!
Simplify your traditions—think “good enough,” not perfect.
Schedule rest like it’s an important meeting (because it is!).
Say no to things that drain you and yes to what fills your cup.
Mentioned in This Episode:🎧 How to Set Boundaries During the Holidays🎧 Holiday Budgeting Tips for a Stress-Free Season🎧 Balance & Joy: Thriving During the Holidays
Ready to Find Your Holiday Zen?Don’t let the season run you ragged—find peace amidst the hustle! Listen now and let us know your favorite self-care tip. Share your thoughts on Instagram @ChasingBrighter or send us a message.
Follow Us:
Instagram: @ChasingBrighter
Blog: Chasing Brighter Blog
2024 Gift Guide is here!
Subscribe for more episodes to make your holidays brighter!
Happy Holidays! 🎅🎁

Super Woman Diaries #18: Fitness, Fun, and New Perspectives

In this episode, Kelly and Jessica dive into various engaging topics. They start with a light-hearted discussion about a humorous ChatGPT prompt imagining a world where men had periods, highlighting how societal perspectives would change. They reflect on the societal stigma surrounding menstruation and the importance of normalizing these conversations.
They then explore an innovative initiative in Switzerland that allows younger individuals to earn time coins for helping elders, which they can redeem for support in their own old age. This leads into a broader conversation about the aging population and the importance of staying active and connected for longevity and well-being.
Kelly shares an inspiring story about a relative in his 60s who maintains an incredibly active lifestyle, underscoring the benefits of physical activity at any age. The hosts then contemplate the complexity of health and fitness, especially for women in perimenopause and menopause, highlighting the challenges of weight loss and fitness despite regular exercise.
Jess shares about her new office space and the potential for future events there, before they wrap up with reflections on their year and setting intentions for 2025

Home for the Holidays 🎄: How to Foster Deeper Connections with Family and Friends

This holiday season, go beyond the small talk and foster meaningful connections with family and friends. In this episode, we share practical tips for creating moments of belonging and joy, whether you’re hosting a dinner or catching up from afar. From intentional conversations to practicing gratitude, we’ll help you make this season truly special.
What You’ll Learn:
Why connection is key to happiness and health.
How to move beyond surface-level interactions.
Practical tips to create deeper bonds and traditions.
Follow Us:
Instagram: @ChasingBrighter
Blog: Chasing Brighter Blog
2024 Gift Guide is here!
Subscribe for more episodes to make your holidays brighter!
Happy Holidays! 🎅🎁

Super Woman Diaries #17: Surviving the Holiday Hustle

In this episode, Kelly and Jessica reflect on their struggles re-entering routine life after the Thanksgiving holiday. They share their candid thoughts on managing family activities, including early morning baseball training, holiday preparations, and the challenges of keeping up with kids' schedules. They discuss their Thanksgiving experiences, responsibilities at school, and juggling personal commitments with festive unpreparedness.
The conversation shifts to balancing holiday stress with self-care and fitness, highlighting the importance of adapting routines. Kelly talks about her upcoming surgery and how it shapes her holiday plans, while Jessica discusses the chaos of organizing her son Gio’s birthday party. They also touch upon the nuances of managing kids' expectations and family traditions during birthdays and holidays.
Additionally, they share their experiences with holiday activities, including a visit to the aquarium and a spontaneous movie outing to see "Red One." This episode captures the essence of navigating the busy holiday season, focusing on family, resilience, and the importance of making lasting memories.

Say Yes to Spontaneity This Holiday Season🎄

In this episode of Chasing Brighter, we’re stepping off the beaten path of holiday planning and exploring the magic of spontaneity! The holidays are often packed with traditions, shopping, and commitments—but what if we made space for a little adventure?
We discuss:
Why spontaneity matters during the holidays.
Easy ways to embrace unplanned fun with your family and friends.
How to balance flexibility with your holiday obligations.
Tips for creating joy, connection, and wonder through unexpected moments.
Whether it’s trying a new tradition, saying yes to an impromptu invite, or planning a surprise adventure, we’re here to help you bring some playful magic back to the season.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why stepping out of routines boosts happiness and connection.
Simple ideas for quick, spontaneous activities that anyone can try.
Strategies for balancing spontaneity with your busy holiday schedule.
How to let go of rigid plans and focus on meaningful connections.
Follow Us:
Instagram: @ChasingBrighter
Blog: Chasing Brighter Blog
2024 Gift Guide is here!
Subscribe for more episodes to make your holidays brighter!
Happy Holidays! 🎅🎁

Super Woman Diaries #16: Books, Balance, and Building Resilience

Co-hosts Jessica and Kelly discuss personal anecdotes from their lives. Jessica shares her birthday celebrations and her new digital family calendar, while Kelly offers updates on her son's academic journey and the challenges of parenting high schoolers. The hosts also talk about their current reading lists, highlighting various books ranging from psychological thrillers to historical sagas. They explore the impact of breathwork on health, suggest a high-protein yogurt drink, and provide updates on how their families manage daily responsibilities and schedules. 

Protecting Your Time: How to Say No Without Guilt This Holiday Season 🎁🎄

This episode focuses on teaching listeners how to set boundaries during the busy holiday season. The hosts, Kelly and Jessica, discuss the importance of saying no to avoid feeling overcommitted, overwhelmed, and resentful. They explore why it's difficult to say no, particularly for women who are often conditioned to please others.
The hosts provide four key tips:
Get clear on your priorities.
Shift your mindset about saying no.
Practice saying no with grace.
Plan your yeses intentionally.
They emphasize that saying no is essential for self-care and protecting one's time and energy. The episode includes personal anecdotes, practical advice, and encourages listeners to be intentional about their commitments to ensure a joyful and stress-free holiday season.
Follow Us:
Instagram: @ChasingBrighter
Blog: Chasing Brighter Blog
2024 Gift Guide is here!
Subscribe for more episodes to make your holidays brighter!
Happy Holidays! 🎅🎁

Super Woman Diaries #15: The Chaos of Holiday Shopping & Martha Stewart’s Inspiring Journey

In this episode, hosts, Kelly and Jessica start with a story about a stressful shopping experience, navigating online waiting lists, and the excitement of securing a hard-to-find item.
The conversation shifts to holiday shopping habits and strategies, with participants sharing their progress and challenges in finding gifts for family members. 
A major segment is devoted to discussing the Netflix documentary about Martha Stewart, touching on her career, personal life, and the impact of her imprisonment. The hosts share their thoughts on Martha's personality, her pioneering influence on homemaking and DIY culture, and her contributions as a female entrepreneur.

🎁 Ultimate 2024 Holiday Gift Guide: Ideas for Everyone on Your List! 🎄

Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? In this special episode of Chasing Brighter, we’re taking the stress out of gift-giving with unique, thoughtful ideas for everyone on your list. Whether you’re shopping for your partner, kids, teens, friends, or even treating yourself, we’ve got you covered!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Creative gift ideas for all ages and interests.
Budget-friendly stocking stuffers that pack a punch.
Subscription boxes and personalized presents to make anyone smile.
Self-care gifts you’ll want to grab for yourself.
✨ Ready to start shopping? Visit our blog for a full list of links to the 2024 gift ideas we mentioned on the show: 2024 Gift Ideas Blog Post.
Key Highlights from the Episode:
Partner Picks: Espresso makers, pizza ovens, and the ever-popular Solo Campfire Stove.
For Teens & Tweens: Weighted blankets, Bluetooth speakers, and trendy loungewear.
Kids’ Favorites: Bluey playsets, Tonies boxes, and mini remote-controlled toys.
Gifts for Women: Turkish towels, spa products, and Chesapeake Bay candles.
Don’t miss out on the simple yet meaningful ways to show your love this holiday season. Press play and let us help you tick off that shopping list with ease!
Follow Us:
Instagram: @ChasingBrighter
Blog: Chasing Brighter Blog
Subscribe for more episodes to make your holidays brighter!
Happy Holidays! 🎅🎁

Super Woman Diaries #14: College Prep, Personal Growth, and Trusting the Journey

In this episode of Super Woman Diaries, hosts Kelly and Jessica delve into the complex journey of personal growth, with a particular focus on control and vulnerability. Jessica shares her struggles with control and trusting the process, humorously referencing the phrase "Jesus take the wheel" to emphasize her tendency to micromanage. Kelly discusses her ongoing battle with a scalp issue and how it has exacerbated her desire for control, recounting her experiences with wig shops and non-surgical hair replacements.
The conversation transitions to their concerns as parents, particularly around the pressures of supporting their children’s ambitions and education.  Both hosts talk about balancing how much to push their children vs. letting them find their own paths, sharing personal anecdotes about managing their children's education and extracurricular activities.
The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of teaching teens about safety, specifically highlighting the use of Narcan to prevent fatal opioid overdoses, and the importance of educating both themselves and their children about the current dangers associated with drug use.