Bitter to Better

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In this Mom Moments episode, I sat down with my friend Rachel Forbes for an honest conversation about the highs and lows of motherhood, work, and identity. Rachel shared what it has looked like to expand her therapy practice while staying grounded in the work that matters most to her: attachment, adoptee-centered healing, trauma, and internal family systems. We also talked about the realities of parenting stress, the intensity of maternal worry, the transition out of breastfeeding, and how becoming a mother can bring both clarity and a deeper connection to ourselves. Throughout our conversation, we reflected on the value of softness, patience, community, therapy, solitude, and giving ourselves permission to say no.

We also explored how Rachel’s lived experience as a Korean transracial adoptee deeply shapes both her motherhood and her clinical work. Together, we talked about identity, attachment wounds, raising children with a strong sense of belonging, and the intentional choices parents make around race, culture, schools, and community. Rachel shared how motherhood brought new layers of compassion for her birth mother and renewed commitment to helping her own children feel connected to their heritage. We wrapped with practical and meaningful parenting resources, thoughts on emotional resilience, and a lighthearted brainstorm for what might just be the next must-have invention for coffee lovers who love their quiet time.

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In this episode I sat down with Loveli Brown for a rich, honest conversation about womanhood, motherhood, identity, and the very real experience of navigating perimenopause. We talked candidly about hormone replacement therapy, brain fog, sleep struggles, mood swings, libido shifts, and how these changes can affect our relationships, work, and sense of self. Loveli shared her own early experience with HRT, while we reflected on how often women are left to piece this stage of life together without enough medical guidance, language, or support.

We also explored the many layers of Loveli's life as a mother, author, coach, podcast host, and advocate for women. She opened up about parenting a transgender child with love, curiosity, and a willingness to grow alongside them, offering a moving perspective on acceptance, grief, and joy in the parenting journey. We closed with one of my favorite takeaways from the episode: Lovely’s parenting “report card” approach, where she regularly asks her children how she’s doing as a mom, creating space for honesty, connection, and helping kids learn to advocate for themselves.

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In this short, straight-to-the-point episode of Bitter to Better, I share a PSA for women: beware of the lazy dater. I unpack what a lazy dater looks like—and why attractive qualities like looks, money, or status can mask minimal investment. I draw a clear distinction between companionship and partnership, and encourage you to align your dating choices with your long-term goals rather than accepting breadcrumbs or “scraps.”

I offer guidance on recognizing mismatched expectations, redefining some connections as friends-with-benefits when appropriate, and taking responsibility for protecting your time and energy. If he’s not showing up, not following through, or repeatedly downgrading plans, pay attention to what he’s showing you. The bottom line: don’t be blinded by surface appeal—choose partners who date you well and demonstrate real partnership potential.
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In today’s episode I’m gearing you up for spring dating. I share practical, low-stress prep to help moms date with confidence: from creating a spring-ready rotation of five go-to outfits and nailing an easy hair and makeup routine, to proactively blocking calendar time during the kids’ spring break so dates (or self-care and solo dates can actually happen). I also walk through building your “Ready List” of five restaurants and five activities so you’re never scrambling for ideas. My goal is to help you be ready before dating season truly kicks in (May–September), so you can enjoy it while it’s here.
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Ep. 32: Preparing To Date In The Fall As A Busy Mom https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/32

Ep. 45: Preparing To Date In The Winter/During The Holidays As A Bust Mom https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/45

Ep. 28: Dating As the Default Parent https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tracie-pinnock3/episodes/Ep--28-Dating-As-the-Default-Parent-e332a93

Ep. 50: Making the Most of Your Child-Free Time
https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/ep-50-making-the-most-of-your-child-free-time

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In this episode I highlight the many small-but-mighty ways you’re likely making progress in your dating life—especially if you’re a mom juggling a lot. Dating is a process, not an event and acknowledging incremental wins is key to staying motivated. I walk through practical markers of progress: seeking resources, building and actively using a dating profile, engaging men in low-pressure conversations, saying yes to dates, and actually going on them. I also cover mindset shifts like bouncing back faster after disappointments, spending less energy analyzing poor behavior (ghosting, inconsistent texting), and continuing to engage with men who show up well while letting others vet themselves out. You’ll hear concrete tips for making conversations flow, lowering first-date barriers to the four essentials (attraction, safety, no offensive behavior, no major turn-offs), and maintaining momentum without letting one bad interaction derail you. By the end, you’ll see how much progress you’ve already made—and how to keep it going, one step at a time.
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Ep. 15: How To EFFECTIVELY Use Dating Apps https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tracie-pinnock3/episodes/Ep--15-How-to-EFFECTIVELY-Use-Dating-Apps-e23suk1

Ep. 26: Lower Your First Date Standards https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/tracie-pinnock3/episodes/Ep--26-Lower-Your-First-Date-Standards-e2a3j5o

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In this Mom Moments episode of the Bitter to Better podcast, I sit down with professional matchmaker Jill Dunn to talk about highs, lows, and the realities of dating—especially for moms. Jill shares how she collaborates with 200+ matchmakers worldwide, the heart-centered people she serves from their 20s to their 80s, and why preferences versus deal-breakers matters more than ever in an app-driven world. We dig into mindset: finding control in your own choices, using dating apps as a directory (not a destiny), and keeping first dates to a simple vibe check. Jill offers compassionate guidance on boundaries, pacing, and remembering that the joy—and clarity—is in the journey. We also explore her personal path through divorce, intentional dating, parenting teens, and building a values-driven business, plus practical first-date rules and mom-life systems that keep a household running as a true team.
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Watch the pod on YouTube
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Contact Jill:
Website: https://www.jillinit.com/
Phone:  888-JILL-LOVE
Email:  [email protected]

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In this episode of the Bitter to Better podcast, I wrap up the Empowered Dating Challenge with Challenge #4: Vet Him Out. Building on last episode’s focus on casually/rotationally dating, I explain why your time and energy are currencies—especially as a mom—and how to protect them by actively vetting out men who don’t meet your needs, values and Ideal Partner list dealbreakers. Think like a hiring manager: bring in new candidates, and release the ones who show unreliability, evasiveness, or misaligned lifestyles. I walk through practical scripts and approaches for ending things—ranging from a simple, respectful decline after a date or two, to a direct conversation with someone you’ve been seeing, to blocking/ghosting when safety or clear boundary violations are involved. The goal is empowered choice: you can’t control others, but you can control who gets your time and attention. Let go of stagnant dating, free up capacity for better matches, and seek connections that genuinely reciprocate and support your vision for a healthy relationship.
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Ep. 54: Introducing The Empowered Dating Challenge https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/54

Ep. 55: I Challenge You To Achieve A Personal Goal https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/55

Ep. 56: I Challenge You To Go On A Date https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/56

Ep. 58: I Challenge You To Casually Date https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/ep-58-i-challenge-you-to-casually-date

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In challenge number three of the Empowered Dating Challenge, I invite you to truly date casually—and explain exactly what that means for moms seeking a long-term, monogamous relationship. I break down the three distinct relationship stages (casually dating, exclusively dating, and committed relationship) and why getting exclusive too soon leads to sliding into mismatched partnerships. You’ll hear how to build and use your Ideal Partner List to distinguish a fun companion from a life partner, the importance of active vetting, and why you should avoid one-sided exclusivity and dating in the DMs. I offer concrete next steps: expand your roster, meet people both online and offline, keep options open until you’ve intentionally chosen exclusivity together, and assess fit in real life rather than in your head. Your mini-assignment: if you’re focused on just one person, get on the apps today, engage new profiles, and secure an additional date. Apply these challenges to date more effectively, efficiently, and enjoyably—so you can choose the right partner on purpose, not the wrong partner by default.
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Watch the pod on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@CoachTracie/videos

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Ep. 54: Introducing The Empowered Dating Challenge https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/54

Ep. 55: I Challenge You To Achieve A Personal Goal https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/55

Ep. 56: I Challenge You To Go On A Date https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/56

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FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services

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In this Mom Moments episode I sit down with my friend Danielle—human, woman, mother, photographer, and fellow fifth-grade mom—to talk highs, lows, and finding our footing as our kids grow more independent. Danielle shares how she’s re-emerging professionally after years of prioritizing parenting, rebuilding her wedding and family photography business post-divorce and post-pandemic, while navigating the constant juggle of time, boundaries, and self-care. We swap stories about meaningful mom self-care, daily logistics and the household hacks we swear by—plus the chores we hate.

We also get candid about the fifth-grade frontier: independence, friendship drama, and the wild world of kid tech—group chats, devices, and the line between protection and preparation. From the infamous “zoo trip primate video” lesson to planning responsible cell phone introductions, we explore how to scaffold digital life skills before middle school. Danielle opens up about dating readiness after divorce, choosing intentionality over pressure, and setting standards that protect hard-won peace. We round out with goals for 2026—growing a values-led business, dating with purpose, modeling healthy relationships for our kids—and a frank mini-chat on perimenopause, sleep, and feeling like ourselves again. Cheers to building on strong scaffolding this year.
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In this episode of the Bitter to Better podcast, I introduce the second challenge in our Empowered Dating series: go on a date. I share simple, practical criteria for saying yes—feel safe, haven’t been turned off or offended, and you’re at least somewhat attracted—so you can get out there, practice, and learn what you want, how you like to be dated, and how to show up confidently. I encourage low‑stakes engagement as a first step, from replying to a dating app message to “dropping the handkerchief” in everyday situations, and I remind listeners to prioritize safety and choose public venues. I also speak directly to women who’ve been avoiding dates or settling for casual hangouts, urging them to set up real dates—whether through apps, social circles, or meeting someone out in the world—and to consider expanding beyond a shallow dating pool. The challenge: talk to a guy, accept (or lightly suggest) a date, and get some reps in. Then report back—DM or comment to share your wins and questions.
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