Welcome back to Chasing Brighter, your go-to midlife guide for living your boldest, brightest life. In this episode, we’re embracing the art of rest—the intentional, soul-fueling kind, not the crash-on-the-couch variety.

Join Jessica and Kelly as they share how to craft your very own Summer Rest Plan, complete with:

✨ Your personal “rest menu” 🗓️ How to block out sacred recharge days 💖 Flipping FOMO into JOMO (Joy of Missing Out!)

Get ready to say yes to peace and no to the pressure of go-go-go summer living. Whether you're sipping a frozen margarita or tuning in on a solo walk, this episode is your permission slip to pause.

🎁 BONUS: Sign up for our newsletter to get the Chasing Brighter Summer Spotify Playlist! 🎶

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It's officially Hot Mom Summer, and we're turning up the confidence and the color! In this vibrant episode, we welcome the fabulous Melissa Briskman—actor, stylist, and longtime fashion guru!! Melissa shares her best advice for curating a capsule wardrobe, finding your personal style (even if you're over 40 and think you don’t have one!), and why you should never wear anything you don’t love—even to bed!

Whether you're heading to a baseball game, brunch with your girls, or just chasing kiddos in the summer heat, Melissa's styling tips will have you feeling confident, put-together, and totally YOU.

👠 What we’re talking about:

• Capsule wardrobe tips that actually work for real life (and real bodies)

• What to wear to youth sports without sacrificing style

• Why matching sets and elevated sweats are the unsung heroes of mom fashion

• The power of accessories to express your style

• Why shopping in-person might change your wardrobe (and your life)

🎁 Links to Melissa’s faves, budget-friendly brands, and summer staples in our BLOG POST!!

✨ Tune in and treat yourself to a style refresh that’s full of permission, play, and personality.

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In this fun and fashion-forward episode, Jessica and Kelly dive into one of their latest style obsessions—an ultra-affordable, buttery-soft matching set from Walmart. Jessica shares the scoop on how these $14 sets rival luxury brands like Vuori, why they’re perfect for Zoom calls, school runs, and spontaneous hangouts, and how she’s been styling them for everyday wear.

The hosts also get real about the evolving fashion needs of midlife, the ethical dilemmas of shopping big-box vs. small business, and why realistic choices matter for busy women balancing work, family, and comfort.

Plus, they tease their upcoming episode with stylist Melissa dropping May 27th, where they’ll share even more spring and summer fashion tips.

✨ Whether you're a die-hard fashionista or just looking for comfy style on a budget, this conversation will have you rethinking where and how you shop!

In This Episode:

• The $14 matching set that feels like Vuori (00:01)

• The rise of matching sets post-pandemic

• Why Walmart fashion is having a moment

• Balancing ethical shopping with everyday needs

• Real-life fashion for midlife women

• A preview of what’s coming next on Chasing Brighter

Resources & Links:

• Join the Thrive Tribe: chasingbrighter.com

• Walmart ButterCore shirt.
• Walmart ButterCore shorts.

Stay Connected: 💌 Subscribe, rate & share the show 📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @chasingbrighter 🌟 Your best life is just a listen away!

In this heartfelt and honest episode, Jessica and Kelly dive deep into the societal myths of the "perfect mom" and why it's time to let them go. From Pinterest-worthy parties to gentle parenting pressure, today’s moms are bombarded with unrealistic expectations—and it's exhausting.

Together, they explore how redefining motherhood starts with embracing imperfection, setting boundaries, and showing up authentically. You’ll hear real talk about missed games, takeout dinners, emotional repair, and the power of modeling healthy behavior for your kids.

Stay tuned until the end for a special segment, Motherhood Voices, featuring personal reflections from other moms on what being a "good mom" truly means to them.

• There’s no such thing as a perfect mom—and trying to be one only leads to burnout.

• Being present, real, and emotionally available matters more than perfection.

• Repairing after rupture and modeling vulnerability builds trust and resilience.

• Setting boundaries is a form of sustainable love—not selfishness.

• Kids thrive when their caregivers are healthy and happy, not overextended.

• Authenticity and imperfection help build stronger, deeper connections.

“Being a good mom is not about perfection—it’s about presence.” – Jessica “Boundaries are a gift, not just for you, but for your whole family.” – Kelly “Our kids don’t need a perfect mom. They need a real one.” – Jessica

Hear candid thoughts from other moms as they share their personal definitions of good motherhood—raw, funny, and deeply moving.

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In this heartfelt episode, Jessica and Kelly dive into their recent experiences as sports moms and the challenges they've observed with unsportsmanlike behavior in youth athletics. From high school baseball rivalries to locker room dynamics, they explore how sports culture shapes young athletes—and why adult leadership matters. They reflect on the importance of programs that emphasize character, and how it only takes one voice to change the tone on and off the field. Whether you're a parent, coach, or just care about raising respectful humans, this episode is a must-listen.

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• 🌐 Visit us at ChasingBrighter.com for more tips and resources.
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• [[10:45] Managing parental anxiety and staying grounded on game day

• [11:30] Respect, boundaries, and why some sideline behavior crosses the line

In this episode, hosts, Kelly and Jessica explore the transformative idea of “mothering ourselves” and how it can lead to more joy, peace, and fulfillment in midlife. Jessica and Kelly share personal stories, helpful mindset shifts, and practical daily rituals that help prioritize self-care without guilt. From learning that your needs matter just as much as everyone else's, to redefining what happiness looks like as we age, this episode is full of validation and inspiration. It’s time to care for yourself with the same tenderness you give to others—because you deserve to feel full, not just functional.

Topics Covered:

• What it means to mother ourselves

• Mindset Shifts:

  1. Self-care is survival, not selfish

  2. Your needs matter as much as others

  3. You’re allowed to redefine happiness

• Daily rituals that fill your cup

• The mental load and how to shift out of burnout mode

✨ Tune in for real talk, real tips, and a gentle nudge toward more joyful, intentional living in midlife.