Chasing Brighter Podcast: Choosing Real Over Perfect

Super Woman Diaries #10: Spring Vibes, Jelly Shoes & Trader Joe's Tote Chaos

No agenda, no framework — just Jess and Kelly doing what they do best: talking real life. This week it's all about what we're actually wearing this season (barrel jeans turned cutoffs, gold Birkenstocks, and a strong prediction for the summer's biggest shoe trend), how to stay warm and somewhat cute when you live somewhere that goes from 40 to 70 degrees in 48 hours, and the completely unhinged Trader Joe's tote experience that somehow turned into a lesson about just getting in the line. Come for the fashion chat, stay for the chaos.
In This Episode
Jess's barrel jeans era — and why it lasted approximately five minutes before she grabbed the scissors
Why jelly sandals and jelly flip-flops are about to be everywhere this summer (tortoise shell, specifically)
Kelly's cold-weather layering system: merino-adjacent thermals, stretchy jeans, Sorel boots, and a Hunter coat that sold out everywhere
Heated vests, heated gloves, heated pants — and the glowing logo that accidentally became a cold-weather parent uniform at every Chicago sports game
Secondhand shopping smarter: The RealReal, Poshmark, and thrifting as a real strategy (not just a trend)
Does your closet reflect your values? A quick riff on intentional spending, capsule wardrobes, and letting go of fast fashion
The Trader Joe's spring tote situation — the line, the bins, the resellers, and the old woman with opinions about Takis
"If there's a line, get in the line" — Kassidy Lynn Social's advice that honestly applies to life
Free Download 🎁
Are You Living Your Values or Someone Else's? — a free values clarity guide with 5 honest questions and 5 real tips for living more aligned. Free when you sign up for our newsletter. 👉 chasingbrighter.com/newsletter
Connect With Us 📲 Instagram: @chasingbrighter 🌐 chasingbrighter.com
spring fashion women, summer shoe trends 2025, jelly sandals trend, barrel jeans, Dolce Vita sandals, cold weather layering, Sorel boots, Hunter coat, Trader Joe's tote bag, Trader Joe's spring totes, secondhand shopping, The RealReal, Poshmark, thrift shopping tips, capsule wardrobe, intentional spending, values and money, fast fashion alternatives, women's fashion podcast, lifestyle podcast for women, chasing brighter podcast, Superwoman Diaries, Kut from the Kloth, Merino wool thermals, heated vest, jorts trend, spring wardrobe

You're Not Failing. You're Running Out of Capacity.

Have you ever looked at your week and thought, if I could just get more organized, I could handle all of this? In this episode, Jessica and Kelly get into a reframe that might be the most important mindset shift you make this month: the difference between a discipline problem and a capacity problem — and why confusing the two keeps so many high-achieving women stuck in a cycle of self-blame.
Jessica opens with a real-life story about having three kids in three places at the same time and the moment she stopped calling it a personal failure. Because here's the truth: no amount of discipline puts you in two places at once. Capacity is real, it's finite, and it changes — and it's time we start working with that reality instead of against ourselves.
In This Episode
Why high-achieving women are especially prone to the "I just need to try harder" trap
The crucial difference between a discipline problem and a capacity problem (and why it changes everything)
How capacity actually works — it rises and falls based on rest, stress, season of life, and what you're carrying
The myth of willpower: why white-knuckling through a capacity issue doesn't refill the tank
Capability vs. obligation — you can be capable of something and still not be required to do it
The two questions that point in completely different directions: "What can I do more?" vs. "What is asking too much of me right now?"
A language swap that takes seconds and changes how you relate to your limits
Kelly's daily capacity check-in practice (it's simpler than you think)
A nod to Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman and the case for opting out
Brighter Move of the Week
A simple language swap: every time you catch yourself saying "I should be able to handle this," try replacing it with just — "This is a lot." No comparison. No justification. Just let it be a lot.
Free Download 🎁
Are You Living Your Values or Someone Else's? — a free values clarity guide with 5 honest questions and 5 tips to help you start living more aligned with what actually matters to you. 👉 chasingbrighter.com — free when you sign up for our newsletter.
Next Week
We're talking about the work that never makes it onto any job description — invisible labor. The quiet, endless work that runs in the background of so many women's lives, and what it's actually costing beyond time and energy. (You may want to share that one with someone specific.)
Connect With Us 📲 Instagram: @chasingbrighter 🌐 Website: chasingbrighter.com
overwhelm, capacity, burnout prevention, women and mental health, high-achieving women, burnout recovery, energy management, mindset shift, self-compassion, overcommitment, limits, boundaries, values alignment, invisible load, mental load women, mom burnout, work-life balance women, people pleasing, podcast for women, productivity reframe, willpower myth, emotional bandwidth, doing too much, saying no, opting out, self-awareness, four thousand weeks, Oliver Burkeman, chasing brighter podcast

Super Woman Diaries #9: New Piercings, Signing Parties & Choosing to Just Live

Jessica kicks off this Superwoman Diaries with a little confession — she got new ear piercings, and everything we learned in the '90s about aftercare was wrong. She shares what current piercing care actually looks like (hint: put down the peroxide and stop twisting!), why she and Kelly are both craving a refreshed look, and how it all connects to breaking free from "good girl" conditioning and finally just doing the things that feel like you. Plus — Gabby's last-minute commitment party came together in six days and it was everything.
In this episode:
Why Jessica got multiple new ear piercings (inspired by Michelle Obama, naturally)
Old-school piercing care vs. what actually works: saline spray, no twisting, no peroxide
Why ear piercings and tattoos feel like acts of identity and self-expression
The connection to Untamed by Glennon Doyle and breaking free from "good girl" rules
Raising teenagers — the joy, the roasting, and the Inside Out 2 feelings
Gabby's surprise softball commitment party, pulled together in under a week
Free Download Mentioned: Are You Living Your Values or Someone Else's? — a free values clarity guide. Sign up at chasingbrighter.com.
Connect with us:
Website & newsletter: chasingbrighter.com
Instagram: @chasingbrighter
Keywords: ear piercing aftercare, new ear piercings, piercing care tips, saline spray for piercings, midlife self-expression, living authentically, values alignment, breaking free from good girl conditioning, Glennon Doyle Untamed, raising teenagers, college softball commitment, Chasing Brighter podcast, women's lifestyle podcast, real over perfect, midlife women podcast, identity and self-discovery, choosing yourself

The Exhaustion That Sleep Can't Fix

Jessica opens this month with something deeply personal — six years of intentional self-work, 40 pounds lost, a thriving practice, two podcasts, three kids in sports, and a life she genuinely loves. And yet. There are still days when something feels off. Not physically. Deeper. This week, she and Kelly name something that doesn't show up on any wellness checklist: the exhaustion that comes from holding things — schedules, emotional temperatures, everyone else's needs — and why that kind of tired is worth paying attention to.
If you've ever snapped at someone, felt immediately guilty, and then felt even more depleted by the guilt itself — this episode was made for you.
What We Talk About
Why you can love your life and still be genuinely depleted by it
The snap-guilt-deplete feedback loop (and why it's not a character flaw)
The difference between physical exhaustion and the weight of invisible labor
How depletion builds through accumulation — not crisis
Why numbing (scrolling, binge-watching) doesn't actually restore you
Real, honest things Kelly and Jess actually do when the system needs something it's not getting: journaling, canceling plans without guilt, opting out, asking for help, protecting sleep, choosing connection that energizes
Your Brighter Move for the week: Where is my energy going? (No fixing required — just noticing)
Free Download 
📥 Are You Living Your Values or Someone Else's? A free values clarity guide with five honest questions and five tips for living more aligned. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter at chasingbrighter.com/newsletter
Connect With Us
📲 Follow us on socials: @chasingbrighter 🌐 Visit us at: chasingbrighter.com 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter + grab your free download: chasingbrighter.com/newsletter
Next Week
Why capable, high-functioning women keep hitting invisible walls — and why trying harder is genuinely the wrong answer. We're talking about capacity, and it quietly reframes everything. Don't miss it.
 
women's wellness podcast, energy and overwhelm, emotional exhaustion, invisible labor, mental load, burnout in women, how to restore energy, emotional labor, high-functioning exhaustion, women who do it all, values clarity, choosing real over perfect, bone-deep tired, energy management for women, overwhelm without crisis, Jessica Colarco, Kelly, Chasing Brighter podcast, midlife women, women's mental health, capacity and boundaries

Super Woman Diaries #8: We Don't Watch the Oscars (And We're Not Sorry)

Oscars season is here — and Jessica and Kelly haven't seen most of the movies. Oops. This week's Super Woman Diaries takes a fun detour into what the sisters are actually watching, reading, and loving right now. From Sinners to Bridgerton to Night Court reboots, they get real about how much streaming has changed pop culture, why prestige film culture doesn't hit the same anymore, and what it means to just... watch something fun without guilt. Oh, and there's a brief but passionate tangent about Anaconda. You're welcome.
In This Episode:
Why neither of them can keep up with Oscar nominees (and why that's totally fine)
How streaming changed what "good" means — and who gets to decide
The books they're reading right now (including one that made Jessica cry)
What the family is watching together when you've got an 11-year-old, two teenagers, and two adults to please
Kelly's deep dive into Slow Horses with Gary Oldman
Jessica's obsession with Mr. Malcolm's List and why she loves what Bridgerton does with casting
The Night Court reboot nobody expected to love — and then loved
A spoiler about Ford vs. Ferrari that is very much deserved at this point
Books Mentioned:
The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
Wuthering Heights (and the film adaptation Kelly is hunting down)
Ford vs. Ferrari (yes, there's a book)
Shows & Movies Mentioned:
Sinners (Ryan Coogler/Michael B. Jordan)
Mr. Malcolm's List
Bridgerton
Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
Victoria
The Closer
High Potential
Night Court (reboot)
St. Denis Medical
Anaconda (2025, with Paul Rudd and Jack Black)
Ford vs. Ferrari
Jumanji franchise
Outlander
Connect with Us:
🌐 Read our latest blog posts and sign up for our newsletter: chasingbrighter.com/newsletter
📸 Instagram: @chasingbrighter
🎙️ New episodes every Monday and Thursday — subscribe so you never miss one!
what to watch, what to stream, Oscar nominations, Oscars 2025, Bridgerton, book recommendations, women's podcast, pop culture podcast, Chasing Brighter, Superwoman Diaries, what we're reading, streaming recommendations, TV shows for women, books vs movies, real conversations, choosing real over perfect, female friendship, sisters podcast

Real Systems for Real Life

If you've ever bought a beautiful planner, built an elaborate system, or tried to replicate a perfectly organized pantry from Instagram — and quietly abandoned it two weeks later — this episode is for you. Jessica and Kelly get real about why picture-perfect organizational systems fail and what actually works instead: low-friction, flexible, forgiving systems built around your life, not someone else's highlight reel.
In This Episode
Why Instagram and Pinterest organization systems are built on unrealistic assumptions (consistent moods, predictable schedules, zero emergencies)
The difference between aspirational systems and real ones — and why that distinction matters
What "low friction" actually looks like: 10-minute anchor habits, three default dinners, 15-minute closing shifts
The power of asking: What's the smallest version of this that would still move things forward?
Habit stacking in real life — how to attach new habits to things you're already doing (hi, morning coffee)
Kelly's simple meal planning shift: three meals a week + weekly grocery shopping only
Jess's real-life systems: cubby shoes at the door, laying out clothes the night before, weekly family schedule meetings
Energy check-ins: adapting your system to your actual capacity each day, not punishing yourself for being human
"If your system collapses during stressful times, it's not a supportive system." — Kelly
Take the Quiz 🎉
Not sure what kind of organizer you actually are? Take our free What's Your Organizational Style Quiz to find out if you're a visual organizer, a minimalist, a flexible stacker, or someone who thrives with a little structure. Get it free when you sign up for the Thrive Guide newsletter at 👉 chasingbrighter.com/newsletter
Connect With Us
📲 Instagram & all socials: @chasingbrighter 🌐 chasingbrighter.com
organization tips for real life, flexible organization systems, habit stacking, meal planning simple, morning routines that work, realistic productivity, Chasing Brighter podcast, organization quiz, women's lifestyle podcast, choosing real over perfect

Super Woman Diaries #7: Non-Scale Victories, Hair Obsessions & the Method That Actually Works

Jess and Kelly are back with another unfiltered Superwoman Diaries check-in — the kind of conversation you'd have with your best friend over coffee. This week they're celebrating real fitness wins that have nothing to do with the scale, getting into the truth about body transformation timelines (spoiler: it takes longer than social media wants you to believe), and going deep on a hair care rabbit hole featuring the Abbey Young method, the curly girl method, OUAI, K18, and a $14 Amazon find that might change your routine.
In This Episode:
Jess's non-scale victories: 16 burpees, a minute plank, and lunges without the wall — yes, really
Kelly's brutal 30-minute core blast class and why she's finally stopped caring about being "the last one"
Why body transformation realistically takes years — and why that's actually okay
The longevity PSA you need to hear: what happens to your body after 65 if you're not investing in yourself now
The Abbey Young Method — a multi-step hair care routine with drugstore products that has Jess's curls looking their best ever
L'Oréal Elvive Glycolic Glossing Shampoo & Conditioner: the drugstore find that delivers salon-level softness
OUAI Air Dry Foam: Kelly's honest review (the frizz is real)
K18: both hosts agree — are they using it wrong?
Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray: a $14 Amazon find Kelly swears has changed her hot tool game
Why the best hair routine is your routine — not Abby Young's, not a TikToker's, yours
Takeaway:
Whether it's your fitness journey or your hair routine, the system that works best is the one that fits your real life. Stop chasing someone else's results on someone else's timeline. Keep showing up, keep adjusting, and celebrate the wins that actually matter.
This Month's Freebie 🎉
Not sure what kind of organizer you are? Take our What's Your Organizational Style Quiz — a free, fun way to discover the system that actually fits your brain and your life (not someone else's Pinterest board). 👉 chasingbrighter.com/newsletter
Connect With Us: 🌐 chasingbrighter.com 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @chasingbrighter
non-scale victories, body transformation timeline, women's fitness over 40, Abbey Young hair method, curly girl method, OUAI air dry foam review, K18 hair treatment, Color Wow Dream Coat, drugstore hair products, women's longevity, Superwoman Diaries podcast, Chasing Brighter podcast

Energy First: The Smarter Way to Organize Your Life

What's Your Organizational Style? Why Energy — Not Willpower — Is the Real System
You've probably seen the perfectly labeled pantries, the color-coded planners, the elaborate systems all over social media. And maybe you've tried them — only to find they didn't stick.
That's not a you problem. It's a mismatch problem.
In this episode, Jessica and Kelly dig into one of the most underrated organizing tools out there: your own energy. Not hustle energy. Not caffeine energy. The four distinct types of energy that run your daily life — and why learning to work with them instead of against them can change everything.
In This Episode, We Talk About
Why organizing systems from social media often don't work for real life
The four types of energy — physical, emotional, social, and creative — and why they don't all peak at the same time
The difference between expectation-based living and energy-aligned living
How to track your own energy patterns over five days (and what to do with what you find)
Why chronic afternoon energy crashes might be worth talking to your doctor about
The power of intentional social connection — and how to actually protect it
How creative energy shows up in unexpected ways (meal prep, anyone?)
Why matching your tasks to your energy level is the key to a sustainable life
Takeaway
Stop asking why am I so tired? and start asking what kind of energy is running low right now?
When you understand your energy — when it peaks, when it ebbs, and what fills or drains each type — you stop fighting yourself. You start building systems that actually fit. And that's what makes life feel more manageable, not just on good days, but on the hard ones too.
Burnout isn't a character flaw. It's what happens when we organize life around expectations instead of energy. This episode is your invitation to do it differently.
Take the Quiz!
Want to discover what organizational style actually fits your personality? Sign up for the Chasing Brighter newsletter and take our free Organizational Style Quiz — designed to help you find simple systems that work for your real life, not someone else's Pinterest board.
👉 Visit chasingbrighter.com/newsletter and subscribe
Connect With Us:
🌐 Dive deeper on our blog at ChasingBrighter.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for giveaways, insights, and behind-the-scenes fun.
💌 Get our Newsletter! Newsletter – Chasing Brighter
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Personal Organization Styles01:11 Living by Energy, Not Expectations02:00 Recognizing Different Types of Energy04:01 Adapting to Energy Fluctuations06:47 The Importance of Energy Awareness08:11 Tracking Energy Levels09:27 High and Low Energy Activities11:07 Exploring Physical Energy Patterns12:47 Creative Energy and Its Fluctuations15:01 Emotional Energy and Family Dynamics17:16 Navigating Emotional Exhaustion18:57 Intentional Social Interactions21:55 Creative Energy in Daily Life25:03 Meal Prep as a Creative Outlet27:03 Aligning Tasks with Energy Levels27:54 Introducing the Organizational Style Quiz
energy management, organizational style, burnout prevention, self-care for women, productivity tips, energy awareness, women's wellness, work-life balance, emotional energy, creative energy

Superwoman Diaries #6: Managing the Mental Load of Sports Season

How do you stay sane when life’s logistics feel like a full-time job?
Spring sports season has officially arrived — and with it comes the schedules, carpools, tournaments, gear bags, snacks, and the endless coordination that somehow lands on parents’ calendars.
In this candid Superwoman Diaries conversation, Jessica and Kelly talk about the very real mental load of parenting during busy sports seasons. From last-minute tournament schedules to figuring out transportation when schools can’t bus athletes, the logistics alone can feel like a second job.
Jessica shares what it looks like navigating high school baseball with unpredictable game times, travel tournaments, and feeding a teenage athlete who needs actual meals, not just snacks. Kelly reflects on how sports commitments shift once kids reach high school — and how families often have to build their own support systems through carpools, communication, and flexibility.
But beyond the logistics, this episode highlights something deeper: how parents take care of themselves during high-demand seasons of life.
Because when the calendar is packed and the mental load is high, staying organized and protecting your own energy becomes essential.
Jessica shares how she’s approaching this season proactively — prioritizing sleep, asking for help, adjusting her work schedule when needed, and finding small ways to stay grounded.
And if you’ve ever wondered why certain organization systems work for other people but not for you, Jessica and Kelly also introduce a fun way to find out: their Organizational Style Quiz, designed to help you discover systems that actually fit your personality and lifestyle.
In This Episode, We Talk About
Why spring sports season can feel overwhelming for parents
The hidden mental load behind teenage athletics
Navigating transportation, carpools, and unpredictable schedules
Feeding teenage athletes (hint: snacks won’t cut it)
The shift from club sports to high school athletics
Why self-care matters even more during busy seasons
How understanding your organizational style can make life easier
Takeaway
Busy seasons are inevitable — but burnout doesn’t have to be.
When life gets full, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s support, simple systems, and taking care of yourself while you care for everyone else.
Want more inspiration for organizing your life this spring?Sign up for the Chasing Brighter newsletter and take our free Organizational Style Quiz to discover simple systems that work for your real life.
👉 Visit https://chasingbrighter.com/newsletter/ and subscribe
Connect With Us:
🌐 Dive deeper on our blog post ChasingBrighter.com 
📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for giveaways, insights, and behind-the-scenes fun.
Get our Newsletter!! Newsletter - Chasing Brighter
high school sports, parent tips, transportation challenges, self-care, tournament logistics, high school schedule, youth sports, parental stress management

What Have You Outgrown? Letting Go of Emotional Clutter

What if the thing weighing you down isn’t your schedule or your closet… but an identity you’ve already outgrown?
Sometimes the heaviest clutter in our lives isn’t physical — it’s emotional.
In this episode of Chasing Brighter, Jessica and Kelly explore the idea of emotional clutter: the roles, identities, expectations, and coping strategies we once needed but may have already outgrown.
Because choosing real over perfect doesn’t always mean doing more.Sometimes it means letting go of the version of yourself you worked really hard to become.
Together, Jessica and Kelly talk about how perfectionism, over-functioning, people-pleasing, and even certain dreams can quietly become emotional clutter over time. What once helped us survive may no longer help us thrive.
Jessica also introduces the concept of Internal Family Systems (IFS) in a simple, approachable way — exploring how different “parts” of us (like the overachiever, the fixer, or the over-analyzer) try to protect us. The goal isn’t to eliminate those parts, but to gently reorganize who’s driving the car so our compassionate, grounded self can lead.
Through personal stories about parenting, productivity, consumerism, and decision fatigue, Jessica and Kelly reflect on the roles and habits they are learning to release — and how doing so has created more space for presence, connection, and joy.
Because sometimes the most powerful reset isn’t organizing your life better.
It’s giving yourself permission to evolve.
In This Episode, We Talk About
Why emotional clutter can feel heavier than physical clutter
Signs you may have outgrown an identity, role, or habit
The difference between coping strategies that helped you survive vs. ones that help you thrive
Internal Family Systems and understanding the “parts” of yourself
Letting go of over-functioning, perfectionism, and external validation
Analysis paralysis and decision fatigue in a world of too much information
Parenting with presence instead of constant productivityReducing consumerism and aligning spending with values
Creating space for play, connection, and real life moments
✨ Want more inspiration for organizing your life this spring?Sign up for the Chasing Brighter newsletter and take our free Organizational Style Quiz to discover simple systems that work for your real life.
👉 Visit https://chasingbrighter.com/newsletter/ and subscribe
Chapters
00:00 Choosing Real Over Perfect
05:31 Untangling Coping Strategies
10:39 Embracing Authenticity and Self-Confidence
16:47 Reflecting on Identity and Freedom
Connect With Us:
🌐 Dive deeper on our blog post ChasingBrighter.com 
📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for giveaways, insights, and behind-the-scenes fun.
Get our Newsletter!! Newsletter - Chasing Brighter
emotional clutter, letting go, personal growth, internal family systems, self-awareness, emotional health, identity, self-care, mental health, self-improvement