Chasing Brighter Podcast: Choosing Real Over Perfect

In this episode, Rachel, shares tips on becoming a healthier & happier mom! Rachel is the founder of the Health Messenger on Instagram & Facebook, as well as, Messi Mom in the Kitchen on YouTube. As a mom of 2 kids, she knows a thing or two about the challenges of trying to juggle it all. But she's also figured out some tips and tricks along the way that have helped her to become a healthier and happier mom. One of the things she emphasizes is that you don't need to make drastic changes all at once. Start with small, simple changes that you can sustain over time. She also talks about the importance of Meal Planning, getting a community of other moms to support you, and making time for what's important to you. So if you're looking for some tips on how to become a healthier and happier mom, this episode is for you! Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take you on a journey of self discovery! In this episode Kelly and Jessica interview health and lifestyle expert, Mary Ricciardi. Lifestyle Expert, Mary Ricciardi is a Board Certified Holistic Health Coach, Certified Gut Health Specialist, Certified Nutrition Specialist and Certified Mindset Coach. She is the founder or Warrior Strong Wellness and creator of Warrior Strong Lifestyle 365. Mary provides tips and insight into ditching the diet culture and changing our mindset to making forever changes. As Mary says "It's a forever kind of thing". Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!!!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take you on a journey of self discovery! In this episode Kelly and Jessica have chosen an alternative "book": The Legend Planner. They explore how The Legend Planner can help you set goals, focus on what's important, and sustain momentum in all areas of your life. Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!!!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take you on a journey of self discovery! In this episode Kelly and Jessica take the time to reflect on 2022 including their big wins and insights gained. They explore their "why" into launching the podcast. Jessica and Kelly also dive into why self-reflection is important. Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!!!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take you on a journey of self discovery! Our focus for November and December is staying healthy and happy during the holidays. In this episode Kelly and Jessica talk about managing the "shoulds" of this holiday season. They talk about their continued struggle with people please and share their own successes. Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!!!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take you on a journey of self discovery! Our focus for November and December is staying healthy and happy during the holidays. In this episode Kelly and Jessica explore the "happiness trap" and give tips on how to avoid the pitfalls of striving for a perfect holiday. Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!!!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take you on a journey of self discovery! Our focus for November and December is staying healthy and happy during the holidays. In this episode Kelly and Jessica explore how to make a plan to take care of yourself during the holiday season. Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!!!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take you on a journey of self discovery! Our focus for November and December is staying healthy and happy during the holidays. In this episode Kelly and Jessica invite Brooke to explore Elin Hilderbrand's novel "Winter Street". Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!!!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take you on a journey of self discovery! Our focus for November and December is staying healthy and happy during the holidays. In this episode Kelly and Jessica talk about memorable gifts from holidays past and share their tips to help ease the stress of gift giving. Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!!!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take you on a journey of self discovery! Our focus for November and December is staying healthy and happy during the holidays. In this episode Kelly and Jessica interview our resident health expert, Safia Lyon, Family Nurse Practitioner and Director of Provider Development for Prairie Health and Wellness. She utilizes an internal family systems perspective when it comes to setting boundaries with family during holiday gathering. Jessica, Kelly and Safia each share successful tips for thriving a family gathering during the holidays. Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!!!

Kelly and Jessica debrief about their trip together in Cooperstown, NY. They talk about the stresses of traveling with family and explore boundary setting. This was the first time we travelled together, as adults, as sisters. We have no other siblings, just each other -- it was a learning experience! Topics we cover: - Understanding each others' travel habits and needs - Setting expectations with family before travel - Voicing your concerns without hurting feelings - Learning to get along when you only have 1 car!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take you on a journey of self discovery! In this episode Kelly and Jessica talk with Orly Katz, MFT. She shares tips, strategies and tools to help couples maintain a connection through the holiday chaos. Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!!!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take you on a journey of self discovery! Our Book Club concludes our focus on Social Justice in the month of October. Kelly and Jessica discuss Angie Thomas' debut novel, "The Hate U Give". Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!!!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take you on a journey of self discovery! We are continuing our focus on Social Justice in the month of October. In today's episode Kelly and Jessica interview Dawn Ruzich. She is the Vice President of Research & Development at Lawndale Christian Legal Center. Dawn talks about the work being done at LCLC, which grew out of the community’s expressed need for competent, affordable legal services. They have provide zealous, holistic, criminal defense, free of charge, to the youth of North Lawndale, a neighborhood in Chicago. We also talk about work-life balance, managing stress and our love of reading. And we hear about some of Dawn's favorite recent books. Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!!!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take you on a journey of self discovery! In today's episode Kelly and Jessica interview Dr. Sara Demoiny. She is an Associate Profession at Auburn University and her research interests focus on the manner in which race and whiteness are taught in social studies teacher education. Sara explains critical race theory and explores the importance of social studies in all levels of academia. Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!!!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take you on a journey of self discovery! This episode features Samantha Alvarez Benowitz, LCSW. Kelly and Jessica explore Samantha's commitment to activism and social justice through her work and in her personal life. Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing a brighter version of yourself!! Thanks for listening!!!

Welcome to the Chasing Brighter podcast!! Jessica & Kelly continue to take us on a journey of self discovery! On today's episode we continue to explore Dr. Matthew Walker's book "Why We Sleep". We explore strategies to reduce stress and review Dr. Walker's 12 tips for improving sleep. Learn more about Chasing Brighter at https://chasingbrighter.com Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/ We encourage you to keep chasing the brighter version of you!! Thanks for listening!!!

Kelly and Jessica break down Dr. Matthew Walker's book "Why We Sleep". They explore the importance of sleep and the devastating health impact of lack of sleep.

Kelly and Jessica Interview Mary Ricciardi, founder of Warrior Strong Wellness. They discuss healing your gut with lifestyle and supplements as well as healing from trauma as Mary shares her story of losing her son to childhood cancer. Join us for this powerful story about surviving and thriving. Check out more about Mary at www.warriorstrongwellness.com

Kelly and Jessica offer advice to help you start the new school year with less stress and chaos. They also talk about the new buzz words "quiet quitting" and share their opinions about putting in less effort in your 9-5.

Kelly and Jessica share their trials and triumphs when it comes to managing their children's screen time. They also offer tips, strategies and advice for parents struggling with this issue.

Kelly and Jessica have a conversation about how we can encourage our children to discover their true selves and build self-trust and confidence.

Join Chasing Brighter as Kelly and Jessica explore the book "Untamed" by Glennon Doyle. They discuss how reading this memoir sparked pivotal questions in their own life. "Am I happy?" "Am I living the life I want to be living?"

Kelly and Jessica share their tips for health and longevity that are loving and nurturing to your body.

Kelly and Jessica share the strategies that helped spark their own journey of self-discovery.

Our July Book Club book is Self Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff. Kelly and Jessica are joined by Jessica's 14 year old daughter, Gabriella. The three explore their own journeys of self-judgement through the lens of this powerful read.

Kelly and Jessica explore their relationship with their bodies and identify how we can practice body compassion.

Kelly and Jessica interview Safia Lyon, Family Nurse Practitioner and Director of Provider Development for Prairie Health and Wellness. She talks about the role of functional medicine. She also describes her journey in healing from cancer and childhood trauma.

Kelly and Jessica review their results from an Enneagram personality test.

In our first book club book we dive into Gavin de Becker's book, "The Gift of Fear". This timeless book provides insight into our natural ability to detect danger

Today we interview Jessica's good friend Teresa. Teresa shares about her journey from growing up with 7 siblings and how her childhood adversity has shaped a life focused on gratitude and giving.

Kelly and Jessica discuss the global shortage of employees and their thoughts on how that might impact your personal tipping etiquette.

Kelly and Jessica share their top tips for managing a hectic family schedule. Kelly coins the term "self-full" which addresses the importance of prioritizing one's own needs even when it feels selfish.

Jessica debriefs about her recent cruise. Kelly and Jessica debate over beach versus forest vacations. An ice cream debate ensues.

Kelly and Jessica dive into their own spiritual journeys and how they continue to do the "work". They talk about the books they have read that sparked their own journey of self-discovery as well as what "spiritual" means to each of them.

Meet Kelly and Jessica