The Debrief with Staci & Ruthie

20 - Unsubscribing from Things We Don’t Care About Anymore

At some point, something shifts. You stop forcing yourself to attend events you don't want to attend. You stop buying clothes because they're trendy. You stop trying to keep everyone happy. And suddenly, being home in comfy clothes with your people sounds a whole lot better than almost anything else. In this episode, Staci and Ruthie unpack the hilarious and unexpected freedoms that come with getting older. From kid birthday parties and fashion trends to people-pleasing, social obligations, and protecting your peace, they're sharing all the things they've officially unsubscribed from—and why they're perfectly okay with it. Along the way, they dive into authenticity, boundaries, friendship, motherhood, healthcare burnout, and the realization that not everyone deserves a seat at your table. If you've ever found yourself saying, "I just don't care about that anymore," this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE WE TALK ABOUT: * Becoming morning people (whether we wanted to or not) * Why small talk feels exhausting now * The surprising freedom of getting older * Letting go of people-pleasing habits * Why we're choosing experiences over birthday parties * Fashion trends we refuse to follow * Cotton underwear, comfort, and practical priorities * Protecting your energy and social battery * The difference between belonging and fitting in * Not fighting for a seat at a table where you're not wanted * Raising kids to worry less about what others think * Learning to prioritize what truly matters FAVORITE QUOTES > "I am not fighting for a seat at a table that I'm not wanted." > "If I'm an afterthought, I don't want to be there." > "Wear the clothes that feel good to you." > "Everybody that I need to worry about is right here." > "The older I get, the less people-y I get." > "When you're with the people you're supposed to be with, it's not a fight." QUESTION FOR LISTENERS What's something you've officially unsubscribed from as you've gotten older? Tell us in the comments or send us a message... we'd love to hear what you've stopped caring about and what you've started protecting instead.

19 - Summer, Screens & the Return of the “90s Kid” Childhood

This week, Staci & Ruthie are diving headfirst into something that’s been weighing heavy on their hearts lately: how different childhood looks now compared to the way many of us grew up. From Xbox marathons and YouTube Shorts to “I’m bored” complaints and screen-time battles, they unpack the reality of parenting in the digital age — while also giving themselves (and other parents) a whole lot of grace. Because sometimes survival mode looked like handing over the tablets just to make it through the day. Together they talk about: * Why they’re craving a slower, more intentional summer * Bringing back “90s kid” summers full of bikes, forts, dirt, and imagination * The dopamine overload of constant scrolling (for kids AND adults) * Creative ways to reduce screen time without making everyone miserable * Summer bucket lists, board games, camping traditions & novelty activities * Raising kids without micromanaging every second * Why connection matters more than perfection in parenting * The deep fear many parents carry of losing connection with their kids long-term * Choosing presence over productivity this summer You’ll laugh through stories about Red Rover injuries, smashed Alexas, camping without tablets, seagull chaos at the beach, and the absolute insanity of modern parenting — while also hearing some really honest moments about burnout, survival mode, motherhood, nervous system overload, and the importance of unplugging together. This episode is your reminder that: * Your kids probably don’t need more entertainment * You probably don’t need more notifications * Nobody remembers the perfect schedule * But they will remember how home felt So maybe this summer looks like: bare feet, library books, board games, messy kitchens, beach sand in the car, late sunsets, picnics, forts in the living room, and kids coming home filthy dirty from being outside all day. And honestly? That sounds pretty magical. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: * “90s kid” summer nostalgia * Parenting & screen-time struggles * Dopamine overload and nervous system regulation * Summer bucket list ideas * Family connection & intentional parenting * Camping traditions & unplugging * Electronics detox ideas * Raising resilient, creative kids * Why adults need less screen time too CHALLENGE FROM RUTHIE: If you’re brave enough… go to the beach, lay down covered in crackers, and let the seagulls eat them off you. (Please record it and report back. 😂) FAVORITE QUOTE: “Your kids only have like 900 Saturdays with you before they’re grownups.” CONNECT WITH US If this episode resonated with you, share it with another tired parent trying to raise good humans in a very noisy world. Grab your coffee, your sanity — what’s left of it — and let’s debrief this beautiful mess together.

18 - When Mother’s Day Feels Complicated

Mother’s Day is not simple for everyone. For some, it brings flowers, cards, and breakfast in bed. For others, it stirs up grief, complicated family dynamics, old wounds, and the ache of parenting without the parents you wish you had. Today we’re talking about what it means to be a “parentless parent,” how we break cycles without a perfect playbook, and how we build a village when one wasn’t handed to us. In this episode, we talk about: * What it feels like to parent without active support from your own parents * Why Mother’s Day can bring up grief, longing, resentment, and gratitude all at once * Breaking generational patterns while still figuring it out in real time * The difference between discipline, fear, connection, and emotional safety * Apologizing to your kids when you lose your cool * Overstimulation, mom guilt, and needing a minute to “touch grass” * Building a chosen village through friends, church, mentors, aunties, and other safe people * Becoming the kind of mom, grandma, and safe landing place you always wished you had THIS EPISODE INCLUDES HONEST CONVERSATION AROUND COMPLICATED PARENT RELATIONSHIPS, CHILDHOOD WOUNDS, EMOTIONAL ABUSE, AND FAMILY ESTRANGEMENT. TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART WHILE LISTENING. parenting without parents, complicated Mother’s Day, mother wound, parentless parent, breaking generational cycles, motherhood grief, building a village, mom life podcast, Christian mom podcast, parenting with trauma, emotional regulation for moms, cycle breaking moms, chosen family, healing motherhood, The Debrief with Staci and Ruthie

17 - Snack B!tch & Chauffeur: A Love Story (Because Mom Life is Chaos)

It’s been a hot minute and after a stretch of heavier episodes, we’re bringing you something a little lighter… and a lot more real. In this episode, we’re fully embracing our current roles as “Snack B!tch & Chauffeur” (because honestly… what else do you call it? 😅). From spring sports chaos to snack meltdowns, long car rides, hangry kids, and trying to keep your sanity intact, we’re pulling back the curtain on what real life actually looks like right now. And spoiler alert: 👉 nobody has this figured out. We talk about: * The reality of managing multiple kids in sports (and questioning all our life choices 😂) * Being in full-on survival mode during busy seasons * Snack prep, snack hoarding, and why your grocery bill feels unhinged * Car chaos, overstimulation, and how we’re barely holding it together * Lowering expectations (and why that might actually be the move) * The mental load moms carry... and why it’s exhausting * “No thank you bites,” picky eaters, and food battles * That moment you realize… every other mom is winging it too We also get into: * The pressure to “do it all” vs. just getting through the season * Why sometimes the answer is literally just snacks + getting everyone home alive * And how we’re all out here doing the best we can… even when it looks messy Because if you’re feeling like you’re just surviving right now— you’re not alone. We’re right there with you. In the trenches. 💛 REAL TALK TAKEAWAY You don’t need to have it all together. You just need to get through the season you’re in. Pack snacks. Lower expectations. Keep going. 📣 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU What’s your best survival tip right now? Snacks? Car hacks? Keeping your sanity with kids? Drop it in the comments or message us—we are ALWAYS looking for new ideas 😂 🔗 RESOURCES + LINKS * Follow & connect with us at the LOUNGE [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1568065834463753] * Coaching with Staci Kile: book your complimentary sanity sesh here [https://stacikilecoaching.practicebetter.io/#/68dbeeb82b5a61705b29349a/bookings?s=68dc700e707aba3025cc96d1&step=date]! * Support first responders: Beyond the Sirens [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582416343581] * If this episode hit home, share it with a friend who’s in the trenches too * Veggie Tales Remix [https://open.spotify.com/track/09V8lxgWIoArcLthdM5rhC?si=ff8d0c2a9060482f]

16 - Recovering Adrenaline Junkies (…and What Happens When the High Wears Off)

You used to thrive in chaos. The pressure. The pace. The adrenaline. …until one day, it didn’t feel good anymore. What happens when the very thing that made you great at your job… is the thing that burns you out? In this episode of The Debrief with Staci & Ruthie, we’re talking about what it really means to be a recovering adrenaline junkie in healthcare and the moment when the chaos, pressure, and intensity stop feeling like a high… and start feeling heavy. From ER nursing and EMS calls to burnout, nervous system dysregulation, and moral injury in healthcare, this conversation goes deeper than surface-level stress. We unpack the addictive nature of adrenaline, why so many nurses and first responders are wired this way, and what it looks like to rebuild your identity when you step out of that constant “go mode.” This episode gets raw; sharing real experiences with patient care, trauma, and the emotional weight that follows you home. If you’ve ever felt like you can’t keep showing up the same way… this conversation will meet you there. We also talk about: * burnout in nurses and first responders * healthcare worker mental health and suicide risk * nervous system regulation after chronic stress * redefining joy outside of chaos * setting boundaries in high-stress careers * and finding small “glimmers” of peace in everyday life If you’ve been living on adrenaline and calling it normal… this might be your wake-up call. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Adrenaline can feel like purpose—until it turns into burnout * You can be really good at something… and still need to walk away * Burnout isn’t just exhaustion—it can be moral injury * Your nervous system doesn’t need chaos to feel alive * Healing isn’t clean, fast, or linear—but it is possible WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR * Nurses, EMS, and first responders * Healthcare workers navigating burnout * High-capacity humans stuck in “go mode” * Anyone learning how to slow down without losing themselves SUPPORT & RESOURCES If this episode hit close to home, you don’t have to carry it alone. First responder & healthcare support: ➡️ Beyond the Sirens [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582416343581] (Facebook community) or Donate [https://www.venmo.com/u/beyondthesirens] to their mission! Crisis support: 📞 Call or text 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) — available 24/7, free, and confidential If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your nearest ER WANT SUPPORT THAT GOES DEEPER? If you’re sitting there thinking, “I can’t keep doing this like I have been…” you don’t have to figure it out alone. Staci is a Board-Certified Holistic Wellness Nurse Coach helping nurses and high-capacity humans: * come out of burnout * regulate their nervous system * and build a life that actually feels sustainable 👉 Book a complimentary 1:1 coaching call [https://stacikilecoaching.practicebetter.io/#/68dbeeb82b5a61705b29349a/bookings?s=68dc700e707aba3025cc96d1&step=date]: STAY CONNECTED If this episode resonated, share it with someone who gets it. Follow The Debrief with Staci & Ruthie so you don’t miss what’s next. Grab your coffee, your sanity—what’s left of it—and let’s debrief this beautiful mess together.