Chasing Brighter Podcast: A Midlife Guide To Your Best Life

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.
 

Mindful Spending: Tips for Setting Financial Boundaries

Welcome back to Chasing Brighter! In today’s episode, we’re diving into a timely topic for the holiday season: setting financial boundaries. As we enter this busy season, it’s easy to feel the pressure to overspend on gifts, events, and travel, leaving us with financial stress that lingers into the new year. Join us as we share practical tips on how to align your holiday spending with your values, communicate financial boundaries with family, and create memorable experiences without breaking the bank.
Key Topics Discussed
What Are Financial Boundaries? -- Financial boundaries are limits we set to control spending and save according to our values. During the holidays, these boundaries can help us prioritize what truly matters and prevent us from getting swept up in the pressures of consumerism.
Why Financial Boundaries Matter -- Setting financial boundaries allows you to celebrate the season without the guilt, stress, or debt that can come from overspending. These boundaries keep you aligned with your goals and values while helping you enter the new year with peace of mind.
Previous Episodes on This Topic:
Season 2, Episode 26: Changing Your Financial Future with Lisa Chastain
 
Follow Us for More Inspiration:
Instagram: @chasingbrighter
Blog: www.chasingbrighter.com
Exclusive Offers:
Audible: Get your next read and enjoy the convenience of audiobooks. Try Audible today!
Amazon Prime: Special 50% discount on Amazon Prime memberships for our listeners. Join now!
Warrior Strong Wellness: Fuel your body and mind. Use the code "chasingbrighter" for a 10% discount on all products. Shop here!

Super Woman Diaries #13: Conquer the Week: Vulnerability, Health, and Self-Care Stories

In this episode of Super Woman Diaries, Kelly and Jessica dive into personal stories about health, vulnerability, and self-care. Kelly discusses her recent skin cancer surgery.  Jessica her experiences with weight loss injections and talks about the challenges of dietary habits and body image. They also share tips on hydration and electrolyte balance, touch on workout routines, and address the frustrations of car maintenance. The episode wraps up with a nod to generational differences in body positivity and practical advice for living a balanced life.

Navigating Family Dynamics: Setting Healthy Boundaries

In this episode of Chasing Brighter, the hosts tackle the timely topic of setting healthy boundaries with family, particularly during the holiday season. They begin by discussing the importance of products like Warrior Strong Wellness for self-care and then transition into the main subject: navigating family dynamics. The hosts provide actionable tips for maintaining personal boundaries, handling difficult conversations with grace, and effectively communicating needs. They highlight three major challenges: dealing with family expectations, managing difficult conversations, and addressing the guilt that comes with saying no. The conversation includes personal anecdotes and strategies to encourage listeners to prioritize their mental health and well-being. The episode wraps up with a recap of the key takeaways and additional resources for further reading.
 
Resources:
Set Boundaries, Find Peace, A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself
Healthy Holiday Boundaries
Previous Episodes:
Season 1, Episode 25: “Staying Healthy & Happy During the Holiday Series: Relationship Expert Orly Katz, MFT”
Season 1, Episode 26: “Staying Healthy & Happy During the Holiday Series: Traveling with Family”
Season 1, Episode 27: “Staying Healthy & Happy During the Holiday Series: Setting Boundaries with Safia Lyon”
Season 2, Episode 46: “From Boundaries to Well-being: Navigating Adult Relationships with Parents & Extended Family”
 
Follow Us for More Inspiration:
Instagram: @chasingbrighter
Blog: www.chasingbrighter.com
Exclusive Offers:
Audible: Get your next read and enjoy the convenience of audiobooks. Try Audible today!
Amazon Prime: Special 50% discount on Amazon Prime memberships for our listeners. Join now!
Warrior Strong Wellness: Fuel your body and mind. Use the code "chasingbrighter" for a 10% discount on all products. Shop here!

Super Woman Diaries #12: Shopping Finds and Fitness Routines

In this episode, Jessica, shares personal anecdotes about scheduling blood work, nutrition, and fitness routines. She explains her approach to a balanced dietary regimen, focusing on protein, fiber, and probiotics, along with her efforts to maintain her fitness amidst various appointments and responsibilities. Discussions also touch on the ongoing struggle to keep up with exercise routines and the impact of missing workouts on mental health.
Kelly adds to the conversation by discussing her experiences with a nutrition class and the significance of continually refreshing knowledge and habits to stay motivated. She mentions an upcoming surgery that will affect her ability to exercise and considers alternative light activities like yin yoga and light walks to maintain movement.
Throughout the episode, there is a blend of health and fitness advice, personal stories, and practical tips on managing midlife challenges.