Chasing Brighter Podcast: Choosing Real Over Perfect

What if the best holiday moments are the ones you don’t plan?

From festive fails to favorite treats and family traditions, Jessica and Kelly explore the beauty of embracing the season as it unfolds. This episode is a cozy reminder that balance, joy, and connection matter more than getting everything “right.”

Inside This Conversation: 

Chapters

00:00 Holiday Fails and Festive Disasters

02:35 School Holiday Activities and Traditions

04:37 Holiday Shopping Strategies

06:27 Elf on the Shelf and Holiday Magic

08:22 Advent Calendars and Holiday Treats

10:34 Holiday Food Opinions and Appetizers

17:08 Reflections on the Holiday Season

Connect With Us:

holiday fails, festive disasters, school activities, holiday shopping, Elf on the Shelf, family traditions, advent calendars, holiday food, appetizers, holiday reflections

What if self-care this season wasn’t about doing more… but choosing what actually restores you?

In this episode of Chasing Brighter, Jessica and Kelly dive into one of the most important (and misunderstood) topics of the season: holiday self-care that truly nourishes your mind, body, and spirit — not the kind that leaves you feeling overstimulated and depleted.

The holidays pull on every part of us: schedules, emotions, finances, expectations, and family dynamics. With all the lights, noise, crowds, and invisible emotional labor, it’s easy to slip into numbing coping strategies instead of nurturing ones. In this conversation, Jessica and Kelly help you understand the difference — without shame — so you can listen to what your body actually needs.

You’ll explore how over-stimulation impacts your nervous system, why even joyful moments can feel draining when they pile up, and how to gently shift toward self-care practices that leave you calmer, steadier, and more grounded.

Inside This Conversation: 

Chapters

00:00 Embracing Holiday Self-Care

01:17 NEWCHAPTER

03:31 Nourishing vs. Numbing Strategies

06:30 Recognizing Signs of Numbing

09:22 Implementing Self-Care Practices

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holiday self-care, nourishing self-care, numbing coping, emotional well-being, boundaries, mindfulness, stress management, holiday season, mental health, self-care strategies

What if the holiday season feels more like “back-to-school” chaos than winter magic—and how do we change that?

The holiday season comes with excitement… and a whole lot of pressure. Jessica and Kelly dive into the emotional load of December, comparing it to the hectic back-to-school season and exploring why so many of us feel stretched thin. Together, they talk about opting out of unnecessary obligations, finding joy in smaller moments, and giving yourself permission to slow down.

Inside This Conversation: 

Chapters

00:00 The Holiday Back to School Feeling

03:28 Opting Out of Holiday Obligations

06:36 Finding Joy and Setting Boundaries

Connect With Us:

back to school, December, obligations, self-care, joy hierarchy, holiday stress, parenting, gift giving, family traditions, holiday parties

How would your relationships shift if you protected your peace as much as your plans?

The holidays can bring out the best—and the most complicated—in our relationships. In this episode of Chasing Brighter, Jessica and Kelly unpack the emotional landscape of the season: the overstimulation, the resurfacing of old roles, the quiet aches of loneliness or grief, and the pressure to “show up” perfectly. Instead, they offer a grounded, compassionate approach to connection.

Together, they explore how small, intentional moments can nurture deeper relationships, why boundaries are essential for emotional well-being, and how authenticity can transform how we engage with the people we love. This conversation is an invitation to slow down, protect your peace, and reconnect in simple, meaningful ways.

Inside This Conversation: 

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Connection During the Holidays

02:27 Understanding Emotional Roles and Family Dynamics

04:57 Building Meaningful Connections

08:01 Establishing Healthy Boundaries

10:49 The Power of Presence and Small Acts

11:43 Conclusion and Next Steps

Connect With Us:

connection, holidays, emotional dynamics, boundaries, presence, self-care, relationships, meaningful interactions, mental health, family dynamics

Why is it that we can call five friends when something goes wrong… but hesitate to call even one when something goes right? Today, we’re unpacking the complicated dance between vulnerability, celebration, and connection.

Who are the people in your life who can hold your hard moments and cheer for your wins without shrinking?

In this conversation, Jessica and Kelly explore the dynamics of friendships, particularly focusing on the tendency to share good and bad news. They discuss the societal pressures surrounding vulnerability and the celebration of personal achievements, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals. The conversation concludes with a call to embrace an abundance mindset and celebrate wins together.

Inside This Conversation: 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Podcasting Journey

01:38 Friends for Good and Bad News

04:36 Vulnerability and Authenticity in Sharing

07:03 Celebrating Wins and Abundance Mindset

09:00 NEWCHAPTER

Connect With Us:

friendship, good news, bad news, vulnerability, celebrating wins, abundance mindset, podcasting, emotional support, personal growth, relationships

The holidays are here — and so is the pressure. The expectations. The comparison. The “shoulds.”

In today’s episode, Kelly and Jessica kick off December with a powerful, grounding conversation about choosing joy intentionally… not accidentally, not because Instagram says so, not because “it’s tradition,” and definitely not because you feel obligated.

Together, they introduce a simple but life-changing tool called The Joy Hierarchy — your personal top-three list of what brings you real joy this season. You’ll learn how to identify what genuinely nourishes you, prioritize what matters most, and release all the holiday extras that drain your energy.

This episode gives you:

Whether you’re craving slow mornings, cozy lights, meaningful moments, or more space than usual — you’re invited to make this a season that feels honest, grounding, and deeply yours.

Because joy isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you choose — on purpose.

Why joy takes intention (yes, even during the holidays)

How to identify what actually brings you joy

Releasing obligation, guilt, and comparison

Creating a Joy Hierarchy that guides your December

Protecting your energy with boundaries

Permission to slow down and choose a different kind of season

💛 Gratitude & Connection Series – November Episodes

What book has been waiting for you to finally read it?

In this episode, Jessica and Kelly discuss their reading goals for the year, sharing insights on various books they've read, particularly focusing on memoirs and personal stories. They explore different genres, recommend titles to each other, and reflect on the impact of reading on their lives. The discussion highlights the joy of reading and the benefits it brings, encouraging listeners to dive into new books and expand their literary horizons.

Inside This Conversation: 

Chapters

00:00 Reading Goals and Challenges

03:26 Memoirs That Resonate

06:30 Exploring New Genres

09:09 Book Recommendations and Insights

12:03 Future Reads and Closing Thoughts

Connect With Us:

reading, books, memoirs, recommendations, personal stories, literary challenges, genres, book clubs, audiobooks, reading goals

Are you rushing through the holidays, or are you letting gratitude soften the edges of your days?

In this Thanksgiving episode of Chasing Brighter, hosts Jessica Colarco and Kelly reflect on the importance of gratitude as a practice rather than a one-time event. They discuss personal experiences and insights from the month, emphasizing the value of connection, perspective, and honoring one's journey. The conversation encourages listeners to integrate gratitude into their daily lives and to appreciate the small moments that contribute to a fulfilling life.

Inside This Conversation: 

Chapters

00:00 Thanksgiving Reflections and Gratitude Practices

05:26 Honoring Our Journey and Growth

11:15 Creating Space for Gratitude and Transformation

13:00 NEWCHAPTER

Connect With Us:

Thanksgiving, gratitude, reflection, family, connection, mindfulness, journaling, perspective, compassion, holiday season

Is decorating early the secret to actually enjoying the holidays?

In this episode, Jessica and Kelly discuss their holiday preparations, including early Christmas decorations and family traditions. They also share their recent travel experiences, particularly a trip to a Notre Dame football game, highlighting the challenges of winter weather and the joy of reconnecting with friends.

Inside This Conversation: 

Chapters

00:00 Holiday Preparations and Traditions

03:30 Travel Adventures and College Friendships

06:25 Weather Challenges and Driving Experiences

12:10 Reflections on Fun and New Experiences

Connect With Us:

holiday season, Christmas decorations, travel, Notre Dame, college friends, winter weather, family traditions, Thanksgiving, driving in snow, festive atmosphere

What if strength wasn’t about doing more, but about offering yourself grace?

In this episode, Jessica Colarco and Kelly discuss the pervasive feelings of guilt, particularly among women, and how to choose grace over guilt. They explore the importance of setting boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and redefining strength to include rest and self-care. The discussion also touches on parenting and the guilt that often accompanies it, emphasizing the need for self-acceptance and the understanding that worthiness is not tied to productivity.

Inside This Conversation: 

Chapters

00:00 Choosing Grace Over Guilt

02:59 Understanding Burnout and Boundaries

05:49 The Power of Self-Compassion

08:14 Redefining Strength and Rest

10:56 Parenting, Guilt, and Resilience

13:50 Practicing Grace in Everyday Life

Connect With Us:

grace, guilt, boundaries, self-compassion, parenting, rest, burnout, mental health, personal growth, emotional well-being