This episode is for every mama caught in the shame spiral who believes one mistake defines her entire story. Have you been replaying that moment when you lost your temper, forgot something important, or didn't show up the way you wanted to? Are you stuck in the hallway of your mind, convinced that one misstep means you've failed completely?

Jennifer shares a powerful moment from her recent speech and debate tournament where she watched a bright, capable student spiral into shame after forgetting part of her speech—and realized how many mothers are stuck in that same hallway. Through the lens of teaching teenagers public speaking, this episode explores the critical difference between shame (I am bad) and guilt (I did something bad), why vulnerability is the true measure of courage, and how empathy—not perfection—cancels out shame.

If you've been letting one bad round, one mistake, or one slip-up affect how you see yourself as a mother, this episode will remind you that your worth isn't determined by your performance, and that courage isn't the absence of fear or failure—it's showing up vulnerably anyway.

🎧 Listen Now

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-enough-mom-podcast/id1755861428 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CWYwsLq4bvK8KCvQn1J2n YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jenn_bryant Website: https://jennifer-bryant.com

📖 In This Episode

[00:29] The tournament weekend that changed everything—coaching 70 nervous teenagers

[05:00] What we're really teaching teenagers: vulnerability, resilience, and failing well

[06:11] How many mothers are "that girl in the hallway"—replaying shame stories

[07:20] The real definition of courage: showing up vulnerably despite fear and failure

[08:45] What shame is really telling you and the voices in your head

[10:30] The four core fears shame leverages against mothers

[13:15] Why perfectionism feeds the shame cycle instead of breaking it

[19:30] The danger of numbing and coping mechanisms that cover shame instead of healing it

[23:36] Empathy is what cancels out shame—practicing the "me too" response

[25:07] Connecting the three pillars: Courage, confidence, and calling

[25:50] Practical action steps: Name your shame story, find your people, take one brave step

🎁 Featured Resources

Dream Reconnection Journal - Ready to reconnect with the dreams shame has been keeping you from pursuing? This journal features easy-to-follow prompts that take just 15 minutes each. Use it as a 7-day journey, once-a-week practice, or complete it all in one intentional day.

Available in Three Formats:

Large Print Journal (8.5x11): https://practicalfamily.shop/products/dream-reconnection-journal

Small Pocket Journal (5x8): https://practicalfamily.shop/products/dream-reconnection-journal-small

Digital PDF Version: Coming soon https://practical-family.kit.com/products/dream-reconnection-journal-pdf

Each colorful journal page is uniquely designed with space for reflection and growth. Perfect for the mama ready to break free from shame and pursue her calling with courage.

The OVER Framework - Are you overwhelmed and need practical help getting unstuck? Download Jennifer's free OVER Framework to help you move from chaos to clarity: https://practical-family.kit.com/01508b2fd7/index

💬 Connect with Jennifer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbryant__

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferloganbryant

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@jenniferbryant__

X: https://x.com/JennBryant_hi

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenniferbryant__

Website: https://jennifer-bryant.com

📬 Subscribe & Share

Love this episode? Subscribe to the Enough Mom Podcast so you never miss an episode! New episodes drop every Tuesday with conversations that help you move from overwhelmed to confident—from comparison to calling. https://practical-family.kit.com/ba0032ec67/index

Share this episode if you know another mama who's been stuck in a shame spiral. Send her this link and let her know: one mistake doesn't define her entire story.

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👋 About Jennifer Bryant

Jennifer Bryant is the host of the Enough Mom Podcast and an educational leader with 25+ years of experience. As a homeschooling mother of two teenagers and founder of PracticalFamily.org, she helps moms break free from comparison culture and step into confident, authentic parenting through her three-pillar framework: courage, confidence, and calling.

Jennifer has spent the last five years teaching teenagers public speaking skills, but what she's really teaching them is how to be vulnerable, how to risk being seen, and how to fail well and get back up again. Through tournament season, she's learned as much about resilience and breaking free from shame as her students have—and she's bringing those powerful lessons to mothers everywhere through the Enough Mom Podcast.

Disclaimer: Jennifer Bryant is not a licensed professional counselor. The content shared on this podcast is based on personal experience and educational research. For professional mental health support, please consult a licensed therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us