Looking for your next great read? From cozy romances to powerful historical fiction, we’re sharing the books we can’t stop thinking about.

Spring always feels like a season of fresh starts—and sometimes that includes refreshing what we’re reading. In this episode of Chasing Brighter, Jessica and Kelly dive into the books that have been keeping them company lately, from page-turning thrillers and heartwarming romance to powerful historical fiction and thought-provoking nonfiction.

They share their favorite recent reads, the books currently on their nightstands, and the unexpected places they’re finding their next great story—from used bookstore treasures to the Libby library app and Goodreads recommendations.

Along the way, the conversation explores why reading can feel like such a grounding ritual, how different formats (audiobooks vs. physical books) shape the experience, and why sometimes the best books aren’t the newest bestsellers.

If you’re looking for your next book club pick, a cozy bedtime read, or something deeper that sparks reflection, this episode is packed with ideas.

And yes… you may leave with a much longer reading list.

📚 How Jessica and Kelly balance audiobooks, Kindle reading, and physical books 📚 Hidden gems discovered at used bookstores and through library apps 📚 Historical fiction that brings powerful real-life stories to light 📚 The joy of exploring global romance and new genres 📚 Why classic literature like Wuthering Heights still challenges readers today 📚 How music playlists can deepen the experience of reading a book 📚 Thought-provoking nonfiction about trauma, health, and the mind

✨ Want more inspiration for organizing your life this spring? Sign up for the Chasing Brighter newsletter and take our free Organizational Style Quiz to discover simple systems that work for your real life.

👉 Visit https://chasingbrighter.com/newsletter/ and subscribe

Chapters

00:00 Spring Reading Inspirations

05:28 Exploring Modern Romance

11:08 Historical Narratives and Cultural Reflections

18:15 NEWCHAPTER

Connect With Us:

• 🌐 Dive deeper on our blog post ChasingBrighter.com
• 📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for giveaways, insights, and behind-the-scenes fun.
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Resources:

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com

Libby App (OverDrive) - https://libbyapp.com

Book of the Month - https://www.bookofthemonth.com

Gabor Maté - The Myth of Normal - https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Normal-Dispatches-Understanding-Illness/dp/0593194684

The Yellow Wife by Sadiqa - https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Wife-Sadiqa/dp/0593194684

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë - https://www.amazon.com/Wuthering-Heights-Emily-Bronte/dp/1503275766

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (adaptation) - https://www.amazon.com/Eligible-Modern-Adaptation-Pride-Prejudice/dp/0525538904

books, reading, authors, genres, book recommendations, literary discussion, book clubs, audiobooks, library, book lovers

What if the quickest way to feel calmer isn’t another mindset shift… but clearing one small corner of your home?

February on Chasing Brighter was all about resetting our nervous systems, resting without guilt, and reconnecting with ourselves. Now as we head into March, we’re gently moving forward—starting with the space we live in every single day: our homes.

In this episode, Jessica and Kelly welcome back Diana Moll, founder of D’s Declutter and host of Organizing With Ease, for a grounded, realistic conversation about how clutter impacts stress, energy, and daily life—and how simple, sustainable systems can help your whole family function with more ease (without chasing Pinterest perfection).

• Why decluttering isn’t “having less”—it’s making room for calm and clarity
• How your home can either drain your energy or help restore it
• The real challenge: not starting… but maintaining your systems
• How to stop comparing your home to “perfect” online spaces and meet yourself where you are
• Kid-friendly routines that actually work (and yes… the legendary “black bag” story 😅)
• Why “one minute” in the morning is everything—and how night-before prep reduces stress
• Decision fatigue, busy family life, and creating routines that support real schedules
• Seasonal organization tips (boots, coats, rain gear, ski gear, and the “drop zone” problem)

• • Create a simple landing zone (shoes, jackets, backpacks) so clutter stops spreading
  • Pick one “pain point” area (laundry, dishes, papers) and build a system around that first
  • Try “night-before” prep: clothes out, water bottle filled, bags packed = calmer mornings
  • Experiment for two weeks before deciding what works for your household

Celebrate small wins—progress sticks when it feels rewarding

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Social Media Collaboration

02:05 Resetting Our Nervous Systems and Decluttering

06:01 Creating Calm Spaces at Home

12:02 Establishing Routines for Families

16:08 Seasonal Organization Tips

20:05 Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Checklists

29:57 Conclusion and Resources

Connect With Us:

• 🌐 Dive deeper on our blog post ChasingBrighter.com
• 📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for giveaways, insights, and behind-the-scenes fun.
• Get our Newsletter!! Newsletter - Chasing Brighter

Resources:

Get the free download here

Find out more about Diana’s Coaching at D’s Declutter by Diana Moll

Organizing with Ease Podcast by Diana Moll

decluttering, organization, home, routines, family, mental health, stress relief, seasonal tips, checklists, productivity

What if dinner didn’t have to be a nightly battle, but could actually become your family’s secret weapon for connection?

In this honest and relatable episode, Jessica and Kelly dive into two things adults were wildly unprepared for:

1. Managing your body after injury without overdoing it.

2. Deciding what’s for dinner… every single day… for the rest of your life. 😅

Jessica shares her intentional return-to-gym protocol after her recent car accident, including her “no more than level 5 pain” rule and what it looks like to truly listen to your body instead of pushing through. The conversation weaves into something just as real: parenting, picky eaters, meal fatigue, and how dinner has quietly become one of the most emotionally loaded moments of the day.

But here’s the twist, what if dinner isn’t about food at all?

Inspired by insights from the parenting podcast Fluster Clux, Jessica and Kelly explore powerful strategies for navigating picky eating without shame, pressure, or nightly negotiations.

• Why Jessica created a strict pain-monitoring workout protocol after her accident

• The hidden danger of pushing through pain too soon

• The mental health role movement plays in stress regulation

• “Cook Once, Eat All Week” and realistic meal prep for busy families

• High-protein recipe inspiration from Jalal’s Fit (Instagram/TikTok favorite)

• What ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) actually is — and why most picky eaters don’t meet criteria

• The surprising research on how many times kids may need exposure to a food before liking it (hint: it’s more than you think)

• Why dinner should be about connection — not consumption

• The game-changing shift: putting food on the plate without commentary

• How removing shame at the table led to unexpected wins

If you’ve ever thought, “Why can’t I just stick to a planner?” — you’re not alone.

We created a free Organizational Style Quiz to help you discover how your brain actually works, so you can stop copying Instagram systems and start building ones that fit your real life.

👉 Grab it when you join our Thrive Guide newsletter at chasingbrighter.com

Come hang out with us on social at @ChasingBrighter and let us know: What’s one small shift that made dinner (or workouts… or parenting) feel easier in your home?

Because brighter living isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. 💛

What if getting organized didn’t mean becoming a completely different person?

What if it meant working with your brain instead of against it?

In this episode of Chasing Brighter, we’re kicking off our March theme — Organized, Not Perfect — and having an honest conversation about why traditional organization advice often leaves women feeling behind, overwhelmed, or like they’re “doing it wrong.”

Because here’s what we believe:

You don’t need a prettier planner. You don’t need to wake up at 5 a.m. You don’t need a Pinterest pantry.

You need simple systems that support your actual life.

The one with kids in sports. The one with late nights and early mornings. The one that’s beautifully full — and sometimes chaotic.

We’re exploring:

• Why perfection-based organization increases stress
• The difference between supportive systems and rigid expectations
• How to reduce friction in your daily life
• Why the goal isn’t aesthetic — it’s ease
• And how to build structure that feels like freedom

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Connection and Disconnection

08:42 Shifting Perspectives in Relationships

Connect With Us:

• 🌐 Dive deeper on our blog post ChasingBrighter.com
• 📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for giveaways, insights, and behind-the-scenes fun.
• Get our Newsletter!! Newsletter - Chasing Brighter

Resources:

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

D’s Declutter by Diana Moll

Organizing with Ease Podcast by Diana Moll

self-connection, disconnection, awareness, self-care, emotional health, mindfulness, February, relationships, boundaries, mental health

What do you do when your child’s “entrepreneurial spirit” earns them a detention slip?

This conversation is messy, honest, and human — just like parenting.

In this honest and relatable Super Woman Diaries episode of Chasing Brighter, Jessica and Kelly unpack a parenting moment that many of us quietly fear: getting that call from school.

Kelly shares the story of her son Beckett, who started selling 3D printed items to classmates — including a plastic knife — and ended up in detention. What started as creativity and hustle quickly turned into a lesson about rules, responsibility, and consequences.

And like all real-life parenting moments, it wasn’t black and white.

We created a 7-Day Brighter Challenge — a self-love reset designed to help you reconnect with yourself in small, doable ways.

It’s free when you subscribe to our monthly newsletter (we promise not to overwhelm your inbox).

👉 Head to http://chasingbrighter.com to download it and start your reset with us.

• Beckett's experience with selling 3D printed items at school highlights entrepreneurial spirit.
• School policies on selling items can be strict, but they serve a purpose.
• Detention can be a valuable learning experience for children.
• Parents should allow children to face consequences to foster independence.
• Communication between parents and school is crucial in handling incidents.
• The nature of the items sold (toys vs. weapons) can influence school responses.
• It's important for schools to act quickly in addressing issues.
• Children's understanding of rules and consequences evolves as they grow.
• Parents can feel embarrassed when their children get in trouble at school.
• Finding a balance between parental involvement and independence is key.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating School Challenges: Beckett's Detention Incident

02:58 Entrepreneurial Spirit in Kids: Selling at School

05:51 School Policies and Parental Involvement

08:37 Learning from Consequences: Parenting and Growth

Connect With Us:

• 🌐 Dive deeper on our blog post ChasingBrighter.com
• 📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for giveaways, insights, and behind-the-scenes fun.
• Get our Newsletter!! Newsletter - Chasing Brighter

school, parenting, 3D printing, consequences, detention, entrepreneurship, child development, school policies, communication, learning experiences

In this episode of Chasing Brighter, Jessica and Kelly continue the February theme of Reset, Rest, Reconnect with a conversation so many women need to hear:

What if the reason rest feels uncomfortable… is conditioning, not weakness?

We say we want rest. But when we slow down, we feel guilt. Anxiety. Panic.

Because somewhere along the way, many of us learned:

• Being “good” means being useful
• Productivity equals worth
• Slowing down is lazy
• We haven’t earned a break yet

Especially for Gen X and Millennial women raised to be capable, accommodating, and endlessly reliable, rest isn’t just physical — it’s emotional.

In this episode, we gently challenge that belief.

We created a 7-Day Brighter Challenge — a self-love reset designed to help you reconnect with yourself in small, doable ways.

It’s free when you subscribe to our monthly newsletter (we promise not to overwhelm your inbox).

👉 Head to http://chasingbrighter.com to download it and start your reset with us.

• Rest is essential for emotional and physical health.
• Guilt around rest is often rooted in societal expectations.
• Mental rest involves reducing decision fatigue.
• Emotional rest requires setting boundaries and saying no.
• Sensory rest helps calm an overstimulated nervous system.
• Creative rest reconnects us with joy and play.
• Rest can take many forms beyond just sleep.
• Taking breaks can improve overall productivity.
• It's important to prioritize self-care and rest.
• Rest is a way to recalibrate and recharge.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Seven Day Brighter Challenge

00:54 The Importance of Rest and Guilt-Free Relaxation

05:21 Understanding Different Types of Rest

10:51 Exploring Mental and Emotional Rest

16:34 Sensory and Creative Rest

21:20 Practical Tips for Incorporating Rest into Daily Life

Connect With Us:

• 🌐 Dive deeper on our blog post ChasingBrighter.com
• 📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for giveaways, insights, and behind-the-scenes fun.
• Get our Newsletter!! Newsletter - Chasing Brighter

rest, self-care, emotional health, mental health, productivity, guilt, boundaries, sensory overload, creative rest, wellness

What happens when your body forces you to slow down — and you didn’t plan to?

In this deeply personal Superwoman Diaries segment, Jessica shares the aftermath of her recent car accident — not just the physical pain of a trapezius strain, but the emotional ripple effects that followed.

Because sometimes it’s not just the injury. It’s the irritability. The exhaustion. The vulnerability. The way stress sneaks into family conversations. The way the world already feels heavy — and then something personal tips the scale.

Jessica and Kelly explore what it’s like to move through physical pain while still being a mom, a therapist, a partner, and a human trying to stay regulated in a polarized world. This episode is a reminder that even Superwomen get knocked down sometimes — and that slowing down isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.

It’s about honoring your limits. Staying connected. And choosing compassion — for yourself and for others.

• Jessica shares her experience of being in a car accident and the physical pain that followed.
• The conversation highlights the emotional toll of chronic pain and the importance of self-care.
• Jessica emphasizes the need for gratitude, especially after a traumatic event.
• They discuss the impact of family dynamics on emotional well-being during stressful times.
• The importance of recognizing and validating the struggles of others is highlighted.
• Jessica mentions the need to manage stress in a polarized world.
• They explore the idea of taking breaks from news and social media to protect mental health.
• The conversation emphasizes the balance between self-care and social responsibility.
• Jessica reflects on the importance of not letting external stressors overwhelm personal well-being.
• They conclude with a reminder to stay connected and support one another.

If this episode resonated, download our Self-Love Guide — a gentle resource filled with reflection prompts and grounding practices to help you reconnect with yourself during overwhelming seasons.

👉 Grab it at chasingbrighter.com and sign up for our newsletter.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Life's Challenges

06:02 Coping with Pain and Recovery

13:35 Finding Gratitude Amidst Struggles

18:42 Managing Stress in a Chaotic World

Connect With Us:

• 🌐 Dive deeper on our blog post ChasingBrighter.com
• 📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for giveaways, insights, and behind-the-scenes fun.
• Get our Newsletter!! Newsletter - Chasing Brighter

car accident, chronic pain, gratitude, stress management, family dynamics, emotional health, self-care, personal growth, healing, mindfulness

What if the exhaustion, irritability, and emotional fog you’re feeling isn’t a personal flaw—but a nervous system asking for support?

In this episode, Jessica and Kelly explore something we don’t talk about enough: the difference between regulating yourself and trying to fix yourself.

Because in a world that constantly tells us to optimize, improve, and power through… sometimes the bravest thing we can do is pause and reset.

This conversation is compassionate, practical, and deeply grounding—especially if you’ve been feeling emotionally fatigued or overstimulated.

✨ Why resetting your nervous system is foundational for emotional health ✨ The subtle signs of dysregulation (hint: it’s not just panic) ✨ Why regulation is about safety—not self-improvement ✨ Micro-resets that don’t require a life overhaul ✨ Breathing techniques that signal calm to your body ✨ Simple grounding exercises to reconnect with yourself ✨ Environmental shifts that create instant cues of safety ✨ Mental and emotional resets for moments of overwhelm ✨ “Emergency” techniques for when emotions spike ✨ Reframing self-care as kindness—not luxury

You’ll walk away with simple, doable resets you can use today:

• Hand-on-heart breathing to signal safety
• Body-based grounding techniques
• Micro environmental shifts (light, scent, sound)
• Mental reframes to reduce emotional intensity
• Small resets that take 60 seconds—not a weekend retreat

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Podcasting and Captivate

00:26 Resetting the Nervous System

03:14 Understanding Regulation vs. Fixing

06:00 Micro Resets for Daily Life

08:57 Breath and Body Resets

11:39 Environmental and Mental Resets

14:34 Emergency Reset Techniques

17:11 Conclusion and Next Steps

Connect With Us:

• 🌐 Dive deeper on our blog post ChasingBrighter.com
• 📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for giveaways, insights, and behind-the-scenes fun.
• Get our Newsletter!! Newsletter - Chasing Brighter

nervous system, self-love, reset, emotional health, mental health, regulation, micro resets, breathing techniques, environmental cues, emotional resets