Chasing Brighter Podcast: Choosing Real Over Perfect

In this episode of the Chasing Brighter Podcast, Kelly and Jess celebrate their two-year anniversary and reflect on their journey and achievements, including winning the best female-hosted podcast of the year. They discuss their experiences at Podfest, the connections they've made, and the confidence they've gained. They also touch on their podcast's growth, the impact of their book discussions, and the diverse range of topics covered, from grief and loss to parenting teens. The hosts give a sneak peek into the upcoming season three, highlighting their excitement for new guests, books, and personal growth.  View our list of all Season 2 book club books! 

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Welcome to the Chasing Brighter Podcast! As we wrap up this season, we want to highlight some of our best episodes in Season 2.  This week we are presenting an encore of our favorite book of the year, our January Book Club book 'The Body Keeps the Score' by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk The book, replete with various case studies, examines several methods of treatments beyond typical practices that may not be accessible due to constraints like insurance. This book is a publishing phenomenon that has kept selling long after it first hit the shelves in 2014. 

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In this episode of the Chasing Brighter Podcast, hosts Jessica and Kelly, revisit their highly popular episode #41 featuring Smithy, a yoga instructor and nervous system regulation coach. Originally aired on January 18th, 2024, Smithy shares her personal journey, practical tips, and valuable insights on nervous system regulation and resilience. Her captivating energy and cutting-edge approach offer listeners a fresh perspective on managing stress and enhancing well-being. Check out the blog post too! 

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Welcome to the Chasing Brighter Podcast! As we wrap up this season, we want to highlight some of our best episodes in Season 2.  This week we are presenting an encore of our discussion with Katy Joy Wells from Maximized Minimalist. Katie shares her personal journey toward minimalism, practical tips for busy families, and the profound impact of simplifying your life. Tune in to hear about Katie's strategies for managing everyday clutter, the importance of aligning your spending habits with your core values, and how decluttering can save you time and improve mental well-being. Don’t forget to subscribe for more self-discovery and lifestyle tips!

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Welcome to the Chasing Brighter Podcast! In this episode, hosts Kelly & Jessica, reflect on completing our incredible second season with over 70 episodes. Kelly shares her favorite episode featuring Dr. Corinne Cherek, founder of Grace from Grief Counseling. They discuss the profound conversation about grief, loss, and Dr. Cherek's inspiring spiritual journey. Despite technical difficulties with a new iPad, the heartfelt connection and admiration for Dr. Cherek's work are clear. Listen to the encore of this touching interview that left a lasting impact.

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This week we talk to Jesica Medellin author of 'First Moon Manual: Letters to our Daughters' book aimed at empowering young women and helping them embrace their menstrual cycles. She shares with us her story and amazing journey of publishing this incredible book for all our daughters out there and this:

• Jesica shares her experiences, motivation for writing the book

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In this episode of the Chasing Brighter Podcast, hosts Kelly and Jess engage in an extensive discussion about the challenges and humorous aspects of parenting, particularly through the lens of managing their children's sports activities and personal growth. They share stories of unexpected emergencies, like sick kids and sports injuries, illustrating the need for adaptability and resilience.  The episode emphasizes the value of communication, flexibility, and finding joy in the journey of parenting.

00:28 Surviving vs. Thriving: Real-Life Parenting Struggles00:43 Unexpected Turns: Sick Kids and Batting Cage Incidents08:01 Sports Season and Balancing Family Life10:08 Maximizing Downtime: Self-Care and Parenting Hacks12:57 Diving into Shondaland: Discussing TV Shows and Parenting Insights16:41 Navigating Sports Parenting: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly17:12 The Ever-Changing Landscape of Youth Sports Teams17:59 Dealing with Toxicity in Sports: A Parent's Perspective19:13 The Highs and Lows of Competitive Sports for Kids27:32 Rethinking Parental Pressure and Supporting Kids' Choices31:40 Finding Balance: Parenting, Pressure, and Water Battles

**2024 PODCAST OF THE YEAR WINNER: BEST FEMALE HOSTED PODCAST**

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In this episode of the Chasing Brighter Podcast, hosts Jessica and Kelly discuss their June book club pick, "All Boys Aren't Blue" by George M. Johnson. They delve into the themes and stories within this powerful memoir and manifesto, highlighting George's journey as a Black, non-binary individual navigating issues of race, gender, and sexuality. The hosts discuss their experiences reading and listening to the book, touching on topics such as representation, family support, and the importance of inclusive language. They also reflect on their connections to George's life, emphasizing the significance of reading banned books and celebrating Pride Month by featuring LGBTQIA+ voices. The episode encourages listeners to explore George's memoir and join in the celebration of diverse stories and perspectives.

Support Pride Month by Reading our June Book Club Book: All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson <-- It's SO, SO, Good!! And it's one of the most banned books!! 

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In this episode of the Chasing Brighter Podcast, Kelly and Jessica discuss their upcoming summer travel plans and how they handle pet care through the Rover app, highlighting the convenience and cost-effectiveness of house sitters over boarding pets. They delve into the adventures and mishaps of managing sports schedules for their kids, sharing humorous and relatable stories about rainy soccer games and valuable equipment investments like pop-up tents and wagons. The conversation transitions into a reflection on social interactions and friendship styles, inspired by a New York Times quiz that Jessica and Kelly take, revealing their "firefly" and "evergreen" friendship types, respectively. They emphasize the importance of meaningful connections and staying energized through intimate conversations with close friends. The episode closes with actionable advice on maintaining strong friendships, especially when life gets busy.

Friendship Quiz: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/06/09/well/mind/friendship-style-quiz.html

Our June Book Club pick: All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson. 

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This episode of the Chasing Brighter Podcast focuses on how parents can be allies to the LGBT+ community and raise their children to be allies. Hosts Jessica and Kelly discuss the importance of fostering inclusivity and acceptance, debunk common misconceptions about being allies, and provide practical tips for supporting LGBTQ+ rights. They emphasize continuous learning, the impact of representation and visibility, and how to use inclusive language at home. The conversation also highlights the significance of mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth and the role parents play in advocating for equality and standing against discrimination. The episode aims to offer guidance and inspire listeners to create a compassionate and accepting environment for all.

Support Pride Month by Reading our June Book Club Book: All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson <-- It's SO, SO, Good!! And it's one of the most banned books!! 

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