Chasing Brighter Podcast: Choosing Real Over Perfect

Super Woman Diaries #20: Lost AirPods, AI Decor Hacks, and Finding Joy in the Little Things

Kelly kicks things off with an epic (and hilarious) saga of a missing AirPod that turns a weekend getaway into a full-blown investigation — trash cans, lint traps, and all. From there, Jess and Kelly riff on how far audio tech has come, then dive into something they're both obsessed with lately: using AI to tackle home projects. Jess shares how she used Claude to plan a budget-friendly bathroom refresh (cabinet paint job, new light fixture, desert-themed wall art), and Kelly shares how she used it to completely rearrange her home office without buying a single new thing. They wrap up with simple, affordable ways to bring more joy into your space — plus a reminder to grab their free Joy Dressing Trend Cheat Sheet before summer kicks off. In This Episode * Kelly's two-day hunt for a missing AirPod (and where it finally turned up) * A quick trip down memory lane on how far wireless audio has come * Budget headphone hacks for everyday use vs. real AirPods for calls * Jess's $250 bathroom refresh: painting cabinets, new lighting, and the step-by-step cure time for polyurethane * Using AI (Claude) for home decor inspiration and room layout planning * Where to find affordable, non-copyrighted wall art (Unsplash, Etsy, IKEA frames) * Same-day printing hacks using Walgreens and Capital One Shopping discount codes * Why small changes — like swapping a light fixture or hanging new art — can completely shift how a room feels * A reminder about the free Summer 2026 Joy Dressing Trend Cheat Sheet Resources & Links Mentioned * Unsplash (unsplash.com) — free, non-copyrighted photos for wall art * Etsy — affordable printable art downloads * Walgreens same-day photo printing * Capital One Shopping — for promo codes/discounts * IKEA — affordable frames Get the Free Download Don't forget to grab our Summer 2026 Joy Dressing Trend Cheat Sheet — a one-pager with trend recommendations in a fun "try it, skip it, already living it" format. 👉 Sign up at chasingbrighter.com/newsletter Follow Us Find us on socials and TikTok: @ChasingBrighter joy, small joys, AirPods, lost AirPods, wireless headphones, AirPod Pro, noise cancelling headphones, home decor on a budget, DIY bathroom renovation, painting cabinets, polyurethane cure time, AI home decor, Claude AI, AI room design, AI office makeover, Unsplash, Etsy printable art, wall art ideas, affordable home decor, IKEA frames, Walgreens photo printing, Capital One Shopping, joy dressing trend, summer fashion trends, Real Over Perfect, Chasing Brighter podcast, Crime Junkie, Ashley Flowers, relatable podcast moments, sisters podcast, women's lifestyle podcast

Choosing Joy Is an Act of Courage

Joy isn't something that just happens when the circumstances are right — it's something you have to practice, protect, and sometimes fight for. In this episode, Jessica and Kelly unpack the real difference between happiness and joy, why so many women struggle to fully inhabit the good moments in their lives, and what it actually looks like to choose joy as a daily practice. From the fear of letting yourself feel good, to guilt, to the mental habit of "half-leaving" a beautiful moment — this conversation is honest, grounded, and full of the kind of realness you don't find on a greeting card. Plus: joy sprinkles, banana bread matcha, and a brighter move you can try today. What We Cover: * Why happiness and joy are not the same thing — and why the difference actually matters * Joy as a practice: how to orient toward it deliberately instead of waiting for it to arrive * The fear of joy — that anxious waiting-for-the-other-shoe-to-drop feeling when things are going well * Why women in high-efficiency mode can lose access to joy and how to rebuild that channel * The guilt dimension: is it okay to feel this much joy when others are struggling? * Research on joy: people with more access to genuine joy tend to be more generous and more present * Real-life joy in action: Jessica's lunch with Gabby, Dom, and Gio, bathroom renovation chaos, and banana bread matcha * What "half-leaving" a good moment looks like — and how to stay in it * The 5% better question: small, accessible ways to invite more joy in even on hard days * Brighter Moves: a joy practice you can start this week Brighter Moves: Kelly: Name one thing that genuinely brings you joy — specific, personal, not aspirational. Ask yourself: when did I last do this? When can I do it next? Then make it real. Jessica: Practice staying in a good moment this week. When something genuinely lovely is happening — a conversation, a meal, a quiet evening — try to stay in it instead of half-leaving. Add 10 more seconds of presence. That's the practice. Mentioned in This Episode: * June download: Joy Dressing Trend Cheat Sheet — chasingbrighter.com/newsletter * Smartless podcast (Jessica's go-to pick-me-up) * Banana bread matcha at Starbucks (highly endorsed) Next Week: Season 5 Finale — Jessica and Kelly share what this season actually changed for them. Not just the content — the real shifts. Plus a summer invitation you don't want to miss. Connect with Us: Follow us on Instagram @chasingbrighter | Blog & show notes: chasingbrighter.com | Newsletter: chasingbrighter.com/newsletter choosing joy, joy as a practice, happiness vs joy, fear of joy, women and joy, intentional living, joy guilt, being present, half-leaving, overcoming perfectionism, personal growth podcast, women's lifestyle podcast, mindset shift, joyful living, real over perfect, chasing brighter podcast, summer mindset, brighter moves, joy for women, letting yourself feel good

Super Woman Diareis #19: Our Summer Reading List (Light, Spicy, Twisty & Everything In Between)

It's officially summer reading season — and Kelly and Jess are giving you their full list. From spicy hockey romance to psychological thrillers, cozy small-town reads to historical fiction, there is genuinely something here for every kind of reader. Plus: why reading might be one of the most underrated wellness habits of all, and how to romanticize your reading life this summer even if you're only sneaking in 10 minutes at a time. In This Episode: * The science behind reading as a wellness tool — including a study showing it reduces psychological stress by 68% in as little as six minutes * Kelly's reminder that June is the month of joy — and that reading is one of the easiest ways to romanticize your everyday life * Jess's confession: she always reads the book before the show drops, and she will always be disappointed by the adaptation. Every time. No regrets. * The Off Campus series by Elle Kennedy — Jess's top spicy vacation rec (first book: The Deal; now streaming on Prime Video) * Kelly's best beach bag pick: Typewriter Beach — a 1957 historical fiction set in Hollywood and Carmel by the Sea * Jess on Freida McFadden's The Boyfriend — twisty, bingeable, and won't emotionally wreck you * Kelly's pick for the book you'll lose an entire weekend to: Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (The Help) * Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke — a contemporary fiction born out of the "tradwife" trend, perfect for readers who want something with a little more edge * Jess's cozy comfort rec: The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Lori Gilmore (book four in the Dream Harbor series) * Kelly goes a little darker: Bright Young Women — a page-turner rooted in Ted Bundy's crimes, set in 1978 Tallahassee * Jess's pick for those who want some cozy cowboys: The Lucky Shamrock by Carolyn Brown * Kelly's final rec: Alan Opts Out — a funny, relatable story about a successful man who steps off the treadmill and what happens next Books Mentioned: * The Deal (Off Campus series) — Elle Kennedy * Typewriter Beach — Meg Waite Clayton * The Boyfriend — Freida McFadden * Calamity Club — Kathryn Stockett * Yesteryear — Caro Claire Burke * The Strawberry Patch Pancake House (Dream Harbor series) — Lori Gilmore * Bright Young Women — Jessica Knoll * The Lucky Shamrock — Carolyn Brown * Alan Opts Out — Courtney Maum Brighter Move — Jess: Give yourself permission to read what sounds fun — not what sounds impressive. Light and fluffy is a completely valid summer choice. Brighter Move — Kelly: Even 10 minutes counts. Find the nooks and crannies in your summer and bring the joy back to reading. This is the month of joy — and your book list is part of that. Free Download: Grab our Joy Dressing Trend Cheat Sheet — perfect to screenshot and save for those "what do I even wear?" summer mornings. Sign up for our newsletter at chasingbrighter.com/newsletter and it's yours. Check out the full book list on our blog at chasingbrighter.com 📱 Instagram: @chasingbrighter 🌐 chasingbrighter.com 💌 Newsletter: chasingbrighter.com/newsletter   summer reading list, beach reads 2026, book recommendations for women, what to read this summer, best vacation books, cozy romance books, spicy romance recommendations, psychological thriller books, Elle Kennedy Off Campus series, Freida McFadden books, Kathryn Stockett new book, historical fiction summer reads, small town romance books, Carolyn Brown books, chasing brighter podcast, women's lifestyle podcast, romanticize your life, joy habits summer, reading for mental health, stress relief reading, books that reduce anxiety, summer book club picks

Permission To Slow Down

It's June — and for so many of us, that means the pace finally starts to shift. But what happens when slowing down feels uncomfortable? When stillness makes your nervous system anxious instead of at ease? In this episode, Jessica and Kelly kick off June with an honest conversation about what it really looks like to choose rest before you're forced into it. They talk about the difference between collapsing from exhaustion and intentionally creating space — and why that distinction changes everything. This is your permission slip to actually be in your life instead of just running it. What You'll Hear in This Episode * Why coming out of a full season can feel uncomfortable, even when you're relieved * The difference between rest as collapse vs. rest as a conscious choice * Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith's seven types of rest — and why sleep alone isn't enough * Why summer's unstructured time can actually feel harder than the busy school year * How presence over performance is a skill worth rebuilding * Real Over Perfect moments from both of us on slowing down in real life * How to protect small, intentional moments without adding them to your to-do list * Why free time feeling wrong is actually worth sitting with Brighter Moves This Week Kelly's Brighter Move: Look at one thing on your June calendar that's optional — something you may be doing out of habit or obligation. You don't have to cancel it. Just sit with it. Ask yourself: is this a yes, or a slow no? Jessica's Brighter Move: Find one place this week where you can choose to slow down before you're forced to. One morning, one meal, one moment — let it actually land. Then notice how it feels to choose it. Free Download Grab our free Choose Your Own Adventure Summer Planning Template — big anchors, small rituals, and a joy inventory all in one doc. Sign up for the newsletter at chasingbrighter.com to get yours. Resources Mentioned * Like this episode? You might like: Episode 15: The Exhaustion Sleep Can't Fix [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exhaustion-that-sleep-cant-fix/id1628176820?i=1000758804640] * Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith — Seven Types of Rest (linked episode in show notes) * Choose Your Own Adventure Summer Planning Template — free at chasingbrighter.com/newsletter Connect With Us Blog & Newsletter: chasingbrighter.com Instagram: @chasingbrighter Newsletter Sign-Up: chasingbrighter.com/newsletter ----more---- permission to slow down, intentional living, summer wellness, rest and burnout recovery, joy as a choice, seven types of rest, Sandra Dalton-Smith, women and burnout, nervous system regulation, real over perfect, choosing rest, slow living, presence over productivity, summer planning, mindfulness for women, chasing brighter podcast, slowing down without guilt, summer intentions, micro joys, personal development for women

Super Woman Diaries #18: Summer 2026 Fashion Trends — What to Try, What to Skip & What You're Already Living

June is officially joy month at Chasing Brighter — and what better way to kick it off than with one of our favorite subjects: fashion. In this Superwoman Diaries episode, Jessica and Kelly break down the summer 2026 fashion trends worth paying attention to, the ones you can skip, and the ones you're probably already wearing without even knowing you're trendy. No pressure, no closet overhaul required. This is a wear-what-brings-you-joy conversation. Free Resource 🎁  Summer 2026 Joy Dressing Trend Cheat Sheet A free one-pager with all of this episode's trends in a fun Try It / Skip It / Already Living It format. Super easy, super shareable. Grab it free at chasingbrighter.com [https://www.chasingbrighter.com] — also available when you sign up for our newsletter! What We Cover in This Episode * Jelly sandals & the Y2K comeback — mule styles, Dolce Vita, Cushionaire dupes, and how to actually find a pair that isn't sold out * Crocs glow-up — the Crocs Miami strappy sandal, Brooklyn low wedge, and platform styles that survive the ball field and the Clorox wipe test * Matching sets & coordinated looks — why a two-piece set is an easy anchor piece for a busy, on-the-go life; spotlight on Z Supply * Linen everything — wide-leg pants, linen sets, button-down + shorts combos; plus the honest conversation about wrinkle care and fabric quality * Low-effort, high-impact dressing — breezy, multi-purpose pieces that work from the beach to happy hour (and survive a mustard spill) * Skirts with personality — bold colors, fun patterns, tiered maxi skirts, leopard print as a neutral, and tips for finding the right skirt silhouette for your body * Graphic tees that say something — V-neck cuts for women, how to pair a tee with a skirt and low-profile sneaker or a linen layer * Romantic & feminine details — ruffled hems, lace, eyelet fabrics, airy pastels, and tiered maxi skirts (Gabby approved!) * Bermuda shorts / dad shorts / boyfriend shorts — longer denim shorts, the DIY cut-your-jeans approach, and what actually flatters different body types * Bralettes and the no-wire movement — an honest hot take on who this works for and who needs more structure (spoiler: Jessica is firmly in the underwire camp) * Raffia accents & coastal details — belts, earrings, sandals, woven bucket totes, and the Clarvy raffia bag moment * Budget-smart fashion strategies — thrifting on apps (ThredUp, The RealReal), Rent the Runway for designer access, Google Shopping deals, tailoring what you own, and quality vs. fast fashion Brands & Resources Mentioned * Dolce Vita — tortoiseshell jelly sandals * Cushionaire — affordable dupes for Birkenstock and Dolce Vita styles * Jelavu (J-E-L-A-V-U) Glimmer Jelly Mule * Birkenstock Arizona (white / non-leather) * Crocs Miami strappy sandal and Brooklyn low wedge * Z Supply — mix-and-match knit and linen sets * Michael Stars — ribbed tank dresses and quality staples * Cut from the Cloth — denim shorts * Democracy Ab Fab — flattering jeans (Nordstrom Rack) * Thigh Society — under-skirt shorts without the shapewear feel * Clarvy — raffia and quilted bags * Rent the Runway — designer clothing rental (link in show notes for a bonus piece) * ThredUp & The RealReal — online thrifting platforms * Krista K Boutique — local Chicago boutique; Melissa Briskman (returning this fall!) * Target Universal Thread ribbed tanks — the ultimate summer uniform staple Connect With Us Follow us on Instagram: @chasingbrighter [https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter] Website: chasingbrighter.com [https://www.chasingbrighter.com] Newsletter: chasingbrighter.com/newsletter [https://www.chasingbrighter.com/newsletter] summer 2026 fashion trends, summer fashion for women, what to wear this summer, jelly sandals trend, Y2K fashion comeback, Crocs sandals, matching sets outfit ideas, linen outfits summer, low effort high impact dressing, tiered maxi skirt, graphic tee outfit, Bermuda shorts women, raffia bag summer, summer fashion over 40, thrifting tips, Rent the Runway review, budget fashion tips, how to dress for your body type, summer capsule wardrobe, joy dressing, real over perfect style, Chasing Brighter podcast, Superwoman Diaries