Summary

In this episode of the Her Mood Podcast, Stacy Fore discusses the themes of criticism versus compassion, particularly in the context of motherhood and societal expectations. She reflects on a TikTok video that highlights the struggles of a single mother and critiques the dismissive responses often encountered online. Stacy emphasizes the importance of community support, mental health awareness, and the role of employers in creating a supportive environment for parents. She calls for a collective effort to advocate for change and compassion in society, urging listeners to prioritize kindness and understanding over judgment.


Takeaways

Criticism often overshadows compassion in today's society.
Single mothers face unique challenges that require understanding.
Community support is essential for parents navigating difficulties.
Mental health struggles are prevalent and need to be addressed openly.
Employers should provide flexible work options for parents.
Assumptions about others' situations can be harmful and misleading.
It's crucial to advocate for affordable childcare and parental leave.
Men also experience societal pressures and need support.
The importance of a supportive village in raising children cannot be overstated.
We must evolve our societal norms to prioritize compassion.


Sound bites

"Assumptions can be dangerous."
"Criticism instead of compassion?"
"We need to support each other."


Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Life in Da Nang, Vietnam
00:25 Criticism vs. Compassion: The TikTok Incident
04:16 The Rise of the Perfect Woman Brigade
08:06 The Importance of Community Support
12:26 Addressing Mental Health and Societal Expectations
16:39 The Role of Employers in Supporting Parents
19:00 Advocating for Change: A Call to Action

Summary

In this episode of the Her Mood Podcast, Stacy Fore explores the complexities of self-identity and the emotional struggles that come with trying to fit into the expectations of others. She reflects on her journey of self-discovery, the heartbreak of shape-shifting to please others, and the importance of embracing one's true self. Through personal anecdotes and insights, she encourages listeners to stop performing for others and to find comfort in their authenticity, even if it means losing some relationships along the way.


Takeaways

Life is still hard, even when it looks put together.
The pressure to conform can chip away at our true selves.
Being misunderstood by loved ones can be painful.
Mitigated consequences lead to emotional recalibrating.
Performance is not peace; it's a façade.
You can't cause someone's addiction; recovery is personal.
Not everyone will love you, and that's okay.
Authenticity attracts the right people into your life.
It's important to stop apologizing for being yourself.
Embrace your true self, regardless of others' acceptance.


Titles

Finding Yourself in a World of Expectations
The Cost of Being Too Much


Sound bites

"I miss me."
"You can't be universally loved."
"Do they even know me?"


Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Bangkok: Setting the Scene
00:01 Exploring Thai Culture and Cuisine
00:04 Introduction to the Journey
01:02 Navigating Personal Struggles
03:50 The Heartbreak of Shape Shifting
06:58 The Cost of Performance
09:44 Embracing Authenticity
12:23 Finding Your True Self
15:11 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

This week, I’m somewhere between packing boxes and a full emotional unraveling. We’re saying goodbye to Thailand and heading to Vietnam—but while the outside move is exciting, the inside one is... complicated.

In this episode, I unpack the messiness of contentment, the grief of losing my grandparents' farm (and my sense of home with it), the constant tension between nesting and roaming, and why a balcony full of tropical plants might be the thing that finally breaks me.

Also: a shoutout to a man who’s been traveling with no fixed address for 17 years, a flashback to my grandma’s favorite saying, and a friendly reminder that sometimes the best way to handle life-altering questions is to bring snacks.

Topics include:

• Living light... but still buying candles
• Processing grief you didn’t know was still sitting there
• Gen X rootlessness vs. cozy nesting
• “No bed misses me”—and the emotional spiral that followed
• The emotional logic of jungle plants
• What to do when you should feel content... but don’t

In this episode of Her Mood, Stacy Fore explores the concept of peace amidst the chaos of emotions. She discusses the emotional pendulum that swings between various moods and emphasizes that true peace is not about stillness or avoiding feelings, but rather about being anchored in oneself despite the fluctuations. Stacy shares her personal journey with peacekeeping, particularly as a woman managing the emotions and needs of others, and how this often leads to anxiety and a false sense of control. She encourages listeners to redefine peace as a state of being that exists independently of external circumstances and to practice self-awareness in their emotional responses.


Takeaways

Peace is not about stillness; it's about being anchored.
Moods can cause motion, but they don't define us.
Peacekeeping often leads to anxiety and chaos.
Mitigated consequences are not true peace.
True peace exists in the absence of action.
We can feel everything but still remain whole.
It's important to allow others to manage their own emotions.
Self-awareness is key to emotional stability.
You don't have to chase stability; it's already within you.
Holding on longer than the mood lasts is essential.


Sound bites

"Moods cause motion."
"Peace is not stillness."
"You can be calm and steady despite the chaos."


Chapters

00:00 Finding Peace Amidst Chaos
06:18 The Burden of Peacekeeping
14:44 Redefining Peace: Beyond Peacekeeping

In this episode of the Her Mood podcast, Stacy Fore shares her personal journey of losing joy and the struggles of navigating through numbness, grief, and healing. She discusses the importance of recognizing the gap between who we were and who we are now, the necessity of grieving that gap, and the process of finding a new version of joy that is grounded and intentional. Through her raw and honest storytelling, Stacy encourages listeners to acknowledge their pain, take responsibility for their journey, and reconnect with the things that once brought them joy.

takeaways

• This episode is for those who used to feel joy.
• When joy begins to slip, it fades.
• I was 100% in survival mode.
• Grieving the gap between who you were and who you are now is essential.
• You have the responsibility for how you got here.
• The breaking point is when pain speaks louder.
• I was terrified of myself.
• Joy had left. It was gone.
• Healing started when I was able to start making those lists.
• You haven't lost yourself. You're just on your way back.Sound Bites
  
  
  • "I was 100% in survival mode."
  • "I was terrified of myself."
  • "Joy had left. It was gone."
• Chapters
  
  00:00
  The Journey from Joy to Numbness
  05:57
  Grieving the Gap: Who You Were vs. Who You Are
  11:53
  The Breaking Point: Acknowledging Pain
  17:39
  Finding a New Version of Joy
  
  

In this episode, Stacy Fore shares her journey of self-discovery amidst the chaos of life. She explores the importance of being honest with oneself and how storytelling connects us all — especially women navigating big life shifts.

This is a raw, honest reflection on what it means to evolve, let go, and reclaim our emotional space.

🧠 Episode Takeaways  
• Life is changing rapidly, and it's easy to feel lost.  
• Self-discovery is a quiet process, not always dramatic.  
• Honesty with oneself is crucial for moving forward.  
• We often rely on others' actions to shape our moods.  
• Aging can bring urgency to our life choices.  
• Change can be terrifying yet exciting.  
• Storytelling empowers and connects us.  
• Naming our feelings can help us move through them.  
• Everyone's story is unique, yet we share common threads.  
• Taking time to listen to oneself is valuable.  

🎙️ Favorite Sound Bites  
“I’m done chasing.”  
“Your story matters.”  
“You belong here.”  

⏱️ Episode Chapters  
00:00 – Finding Peace in a Chaotic World  
02:49 – The Journey of Self-Discovery  
05:45 – The Power of Storytelling and Connection